To my kids first; I expect you to be the more giving person. You’ve seen so much, you care so much, and you are capable of so much in your life. Do not spend your early adulthood nursing resentment and anger towards your grownups for their refusal or inability to see things from your perspective.Continue reading “Let’s Talk”
Author Archives: Daniel M Harding
Today’s Carol
This should have originally posted on Sunday, December 20. The song, O Holy Night, has at its birth one of the unique stories of Christmas. Originally a French hymn it was written to celebrate the renovation of an organ. The poem was written by a man who claimed to be an atheist, Placide Cappeau, aContinue reading “Today’s Carol”
A Daily Christmas
In just a few short days Christmas, the day, the holiday, will be here. Gifts will be open and discarded. Items will be broken, unwanted, and returned. We will discuss Christmas ‘being over’ and comment on whether or not we should sing carols in church this Sunday. Christmas as the celebration of Jesus’ coming toContinue reading “A Daily Christmas”
What Expectation Looks Like
From Day 1 of writing these thoughts and devotions the scenes that we will look at today have been ever present in my mind. Two older people, their lives seemingly behind them, and yet they are hanging out in the Temple. Life, hope, and mercy are the themes on their mind. I often find myContinue reading “What Expectation Looks Like”
Time and Energy
What matters? What lasts? What defines us? These are questions that to some extent we have all probably asked ourselves at some time or another. Our answers are varied. They are, however, revealed in the actions and choices that we make. Every generation, every subgroup of each generation will all attempt to answer the aboveContinue reading “Time and Energy”
Wonder and Time
Babies are an incredible gift from God. Their smiles and interactions with us endear them to most people they encounter. They are also weak and in need of constant care and attention. Whatever you may know of them I can promise you this; babies are a lot of work. You do not get a breakContinue reading “Wonder and Time”
Intentional Thoughts
A Starry Night Take a piece of dark paper/wall board/poster board/ etc. Attach this to a wall or some other well-traveled place in your house. Cut out white stars and place near this spot along with a pen. As the days pass take time to write things of thanksgiving, instances of joy or happiness, orContinue reading “Intentional Thoughts”
Embracing Brokenness
Cold. Dark. Lonely. Regular. Expected. Normal. Think of your life and think of tasks that you perform regularly. Maybe you dread them. Maybe you enjoy them. What you do not expect is to be visited by angels. Why do we not expect angels? Should we expect messengers from Heaven? In the circles that I haveContinue reading “Embracing Brokenness”
a world-changing announcement
It’s caroling Sunday again. The formation and use of the word Noel has an interesting and complicated history. Originally the word means to be born and then through some double usage and similar words it now is used to mean the Christmas season or Christmas carol. More info Here Thousands of years before God hadContinue reading “a world-changing announcement”
sitting quietly
It’s Saturday and there are only 13 days that separate you from Christmas. What are the plans for today? Shopping? Cleaning? Baking? Sitting? Whatever your plans, or combination of plans might be, the reality is that most of us don’t expect our world to get turned upside down. If, however, we do find our worldContinue reading “sitting quietly”
Seek Understanding 