Author: dklineg

Comfort For the New Year

On By dklinegIn ComfortLeave a comment

A question and an answer…

The Question …  

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

The Answer …

That I am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

[Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 1]

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

[2 Corinthians 5:17]

Today’s gift

Christmas Light

On By dklinegIn ChristmasLeave a comment

Here’s what the Gospel of John says about the coming of Jesus.

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— … “

My hope for you today, Christmas Day, is that the Light that is Jesus will shine in your lives no matter what your circumstances may be.

Walk as children of Light

Jesus, the Light of the world… Today’s Gift

“First Fruits”

On By dklinegIn Christmas, StoriesLeave a comment

This story has been given its own page in the blog. Follow the link to read the whole thing.

This story is part of a collection I put together called “My Best Christmas and Other Stories of the Season.” It can be purchased at Amazon.com

“I purt’ near froze to death,” William looked across the counter at Lester, ferrying vegetable soup to his lips from the chipped bowl in front of him.  He wore sesame seeds that had been planted in the tangle of his scraggly gray beard.  William poured coffee into Lester’s half empty cup.  “It was so cold that night that, well let me tell ya, that there cup of coffee would’ve froze solid!”  He raised his eyebrows as he retooled an old Paul Bunyan legend he dredged from the dim memory of long gone school lessons.  Lester sopped up what was left of the broth with a piece of dinner roll.  What his mouth didn’t capture, the curly hairs of his shaggy beard did,  providing a record of the day’s menu at the Gospel of Peace Mission. ……. Read more…

If one…

On By dklinegIn Other Stuff..., Spring, Unexpected DelightLeave a comment

If one looks up

If one sets aside the work 

If one pays attention to something other than details 

If one puts down the ‘device’

If one raises one’s eyes to see something else 

If one looks out the window once in awhile 

One might see something 

… unexpected 

… kinda cool

… sorta comical

… graceful in a goofy sort of way

… maybe beautiful 

… maybe not

… but interesting 

… And delightful nonetheless

If one just looks up.

Unexpected Delight… Today’s Gift