Emily Parke Chase
With Christmas less than a month away, it is time to begin another series of Advent devotionals designed to prepare our hearts for the arrival of the infant in Bethlehem. Advent marks a season of self-examination and soul preparation, and thus the theme for this year is “Preparation.” Over the next weeks, we will look …
Read More Advent 2021 – Day 1October is almost over. Skies are darker and the weather is rapidly cooling. Yesterday I stayed indoors, and by suppertime I was in a blue funk. Perhaps God was exasperated with me, but I got his clear message: Go outside and take a walk. Enjoy some fresh air! I obeyed. The tall trees on our …
Read More October SkiesWhen each of my grandkids turns ten years old, they come to my home for a week with their grandparents. This week is designed around their special interests, but it also provides a natural opportunity for me to get to know each child outside the context of his or her siblings. For example, when Josiah …
Read More One on OneWhen I look in the mirror, some days I see a person who looks pretty good. But other days, I see someone who is far from perfect. Jacob’s oldest son, Reuben, was also a mixed bag. Good news? Reuben was furious and wanted justice for his sister Dinah when she was raped. Bad news? Just …
Read More Good News, Bad NewsAfter spending last month looking at the topic of hope, we all are now “hoping” for a better New Year. Last year at this time, we had no idea of all the tumult 2020 would bring. For me, those next 12 months involved recovering from three major spinal surgeries, followed by the loss of my …
Read More Another New YearAnd now we come to the end of another Advent series. As we wrap up this collection of devotionals on HOPE, I challenge you to look at the host of other verses in Scripture that mention the topic of hope. As you all know by now, last August, my husband Gene contracted the coronavirus and …
Read More Advent 2020 – Day 24It may sound strange, but I often feel a certain letdown when we draw near to the end of Advent. These devotionals give a special focus to my days. I “HOPE” you feel the same way. Yet, we can’t forget that the climax of this season still lies ahead! Some years ago, I was at …
Read More Advent 2020 – Day 23Can you feel the excitement in the air? Christmas is drawing near. Thanks for continuing to read these brief Advent thoughts on HOPE. Most of us look forward to a feast at Christmas. This year, due to COVID, things will be different from other times in the past. Some relatives have moved on, to celebrate …
Read More Advent 2020 – Day 22Today is the shortest day of the year, so let’s not waste time. Here is a new twist on HOPE. For her husband and three teenage boys, my daughter Prisca made 13 pounds of cranberry relish the week before Thanksgiving. By the time the holiday rolled around, only 2 pounds were left, a quantity she …
Read More Advent 2020 – Day 21Thank you for staying with me throughout this Advent series on HOPE. This time, we will find yet another result of our hope in Christ. I mentioned a friend of mine who is recovering from COVID. She hasn’t had energy to do any holiday shopping. Like others who have contracted this awful virus, she is …
Read More Advent 2020 – Day 20