The Inkers Pen

Photo by Rosie Kerr on Unsplash "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ” Luke 2:10 NKJV Joy in the third week of Advent often tiptoes in wearing fuzzy socks, the air sweet with the smell of sugar cookies, and grandkids giggling their way through the house like caffeinated elves. This is the week your majestic tree twinkles to perfection, as if waiting to audition for a role in the Star of Bethlehem. At some point during the days before Christmas, the family settles onto the floor and couch—a tangle of knees, blankets, pillows, and a myriad of snacks that defy calories. Cookies partner a plate with fudge, trail bologna finds its soulmate in cheese, and coffee collaborates with pie. The infamous Grinch flashes across the TV screen, and a quotes of Cindy Lou Who echo throughout the room. As the movie advances, “You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is belted out with the gusto of voices who have sung it every year since, well, since forever. And still, it never gets old. Have you noticed how Christmas joy slips quietly into the middle of everything? This slightly chaotic happiness enlarges like the Grinch’s heart until it spills over with laughter, crumbs, and lots of fun-loving giddiness. You see, Jesus holds firm right there through it all. He’s there during the laughter, imperfections, and struggles— never asking for silence or polish. Jesus simply wants us to notice the holiness hiding in plain sight … to see and know He is our “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10 NKJV). Even though joy arrives in fuzzy socks, twinkling trees, or laughter echoing through every corner of the house, the true joy of Christmas is found in a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger—Jesus, our Savior. He was born to bring the world light, love, and lasting joy to all. Heavenly Father, Open my eyes, Lord, to the joy hidden in laughter, crumbs, and chaos. I pray that I always notice and feel the holiness of Your presence. May the gift of Jesus—our eternal hope and joy—grow in the hearts of all the people. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks 1. Where have you noticed moments of joy in the midst of this chaotic season? 2. How can you invite Jesus (the true joy of Christmas!) into your holiday routines? 🎄 "Christmas joy simply wants us to notice the holy hiding in plain sight." ~~LM 🎄

Image by Aaron Morgan "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 KJV The second week of Advent spotlights peace. We all want peace this time of year. The kind that warms the heart with the first sip of morning coffee or when watching the sun stretch its radiant fingers across the landscape of a snowy field, and who doesn't want the contentment of curling up by the fireplace with a book you’ve been meaning to read for months. But ... before any of that can happen, we must setup the pre-lit Christmas tree. Tis the season, right? Right. Until you plug it in and only the top half glows like the Star of Bethlehem. The bottom half? Well, it looks like it gave up on life sometime in July. Henceforth, the pilgrimage to the store begins. The problem? You can't buy just any lights. You need the exact shade of warm-white LEDs that match the preexisting factory-wired lights from 2017. May the odds be ever in your holiday favor. Breathe in. Breathe out. As you Grinch your way to the shopping center, the drive feels like a traffic jam on ice—no carols, no cheer, and apparently the person in front of you missed the memo that merging is a shared activity. By the time the two-hour light-buying fiasco winds to a close, your husband chimes in with: “We can either buy a new tree or use the colored lights hibernating in the attic for the "irritating tree" we have standing in the living room.” Yes, the man used finger-quotes. B reathe in. Breathe out. So, somewhere between the slushy parking lots and people forgetting how turn signals work, our flocked (non-working pre-lit) Christmas tree twinkles and glows with colored lights. Now, onto setting up the beautiful inherited nativity scene. As I place baby Jesus in His manger, I'm reminded of the angels' words: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:14 NKJV). "...and on earth peace..." Jesus' birth was anything but peace. He was born into a world far more chaotic than any kind of Christmas tree or lighting disaster could ever create. My goodness, His peace didn’t hinge on colored lights in an attic. Bethlehem wasn’t neat or cozy as Joseph and Mary arrived. There was no room in the inn, no sterile area to birth a baby, and should I even mention the "lowing" of animals nearby. Our Prince of Peace entered the world inside a stable thick with smelly hay and was gently laid into a feeding trough, something we refer to (in a loving manner) as a manger. Nothing about that night was peaceful or perfect, yet the Heavenly Father slipped His loving peace right into the middle of the holy mess. You see, the same God who pierced the night sky with the Star of Bethlehem, the same God who brought order into the Christmas eve chaos back then, is the same God who breathes peace into our daily life now. So, take a sip of coffee or hot cocoa, eat a marshmallow, let yourself laugh, let yourself sing praises, and if the tree doesn't light, who cares. Remember, peace isn't always found in the absence of chaos. It's found in the beautiful presence of knowing and believing in Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father, Thank You for breathing peace into my daily life. Thank You for sending Jesus (the perfect, beautiful tiny bundle of flesh wrapped in swaddling clothes) into this imperfect and corrupt world. Praise to our Prince of Peace, the Savior of the world. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks What chaos are you trying to “fix,” instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to calm your heart? " Peace isn't always found in the absence of chaos. It's found in the presence of Christ." ~~LM

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NKJV The first week of the Christmas Advent is here. At times the holiday season can feel like a winter wonderland filled with hope and colorful lights. Then, there are times it feels like a fragile-glass ornament hung on a weak branch—one wrong move and crack, there goes the festive sparkle. Yet, Scripture insists that hope in Christ is anything but fragile. It’s sturdier than the ancient plastic nativity set your grandmother refuses to throw away. You know the one with the sheep, where the light bulb continues to flicker, no matter how many times you replace it. Advent reminds us that hope is not wishful thinking, nor is it the December optimism that this might finally be the year your Christmas lights don’t turn into a tangled testimony of human failure. Our hope, in the Christian sense, is the steady, soul-anchoring assurance that God keeps His promises. Think of the people of Israel who waited centuries for a Messiah, who longed for light while living in darkness. You see, their hope wasn’t based on circumstances but on our God ... “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NKJV). Their hope (our hope!) came swaddled in human skin with the tiniest, universe-shaking cry from a manger in the quiet of the night in a stable that probably smelled suspiciously un-Christmassy. Dear one, I pray we can learn to wait with the same holy expectancy as the Israelites. When our weary eyes scan our life's messy schedules, mismatched ornaments, and prayers that feel like they’ve camped out a little too long on God’s “pending” list, we can still rest in the truth our Hope is still hard at work. You see, the story isn’t over. Hope is coming. So, as you hang the stockings, whip up a hot cocoa, even attempt gingerbread architecture, remember: Hope has a name. Our beloved Hope is Jesus. He's the glow that warms your days. He is the star that guides your nights. Jesus Christ is the forever light that fills your heart with hope. Heavenly Father, Thank you for always lighting my way, for sending that tiny bundle of human flesh to earth and giving us hope in a dark-filled world. Lord Jesus, you are the light and hope in every season of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks Where is one place you can see Hope in the everyday Christmas chaos? Where in your life can you pause, breathe, and listen to the world’s Hope born in a stable? 💙 "Our Hope is the steady, soul-anchoring assurance that God keeps His promises."~~LM 💙

Image by Freepik “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1 NIV Thanksgiving. The day when the kitchen becomes a Bedlam Bonanza, the turkey somehow takes center stage like a celebrity in a featherless tuxedo, and everyone’s stomach growls like an impatient lion waiting to feast. Yet somehow, in the midst of our food-covered counters and the sweet smell of pumpkin pie, there’s love happening. It’s the kind of love that turns a spilled bowl of pickled eggs into a story you’ll laugh about for years. A love that transforms your lumpy gravy into a metaphor for life (not everything has to be perfect to be wonderful, right?). It’s the kind of love that reminds us Thanksgiving isn’t about the mountain of food—it’s about family … our loved ones. Throughout the day, we giggle as the toddlers wear mashed potatoes like war paint. We coax a smile from the lone teenager glued to their phone ... because deep down, they want to be part of the chaos (even if they won’t admit it). We play Nerf tag with the restless pre-teens, knowing we may not be as fast as we used to be, but, hey, experience gives us better aim ... sometimes. And sure, the oven timers will beep out of sync, the dinner rolls might end up a little toasty, and someone may or may not drop the ham onto the floor. Okay, so that happened, twice. You see, Thanksgiving isn’t about a picture-perfect table. No, it really isn't. It’s about messy, fun, beautiful togetherness. It's about being thankful for everyone and everything. It's about the heart of a bigger truth: Jesus. You see, He’s the head of this feast, the unseen guest who ties every bite of pie, every giggle, every hug, and every "I love you" together. Our God's grace and love overflows—not just our plates. So, as we laugh, share, and savor the food (and maybe fight over the last piece of salvaged ham), let’s pause to remember what we are really celebrating. It’s not the turkey on the table or the football on TV or the kids running rampant through the house. Nope, but those are wonderful things too. It’s all about being thankful for God’s unconditional love and for the blessing of sharing another year with family. Precious one, God’s love reminds us that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Our family, like the meal, is made up of many elements, each element bringing its own flavor. Some days, it’s sweet and smooth like pie filling; other days, it’s bumpy and lumpy like mashed potatoes. It's not about perfection ... it’s about presence. It’s about love. It’s about the unseen guest at the table: Jesus. May we all ... “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1 NIV). Now that is something to be thankful for. Heavenly Father, My heart overflows with thankfulness today. Within the mess, the noise, and the beautiful chaos, I thank You for the gift of family. I thank You for the love that binds, for laughter that heals, and for grace that protects. You’ve given me and my loved ones more than we deserve ... You've given us the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Your love endures forever. In Jesus' name. Amen. 🧡Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless🧡

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV Have you ever had a morning where a shoulder-tap from Heaven reaches you before the aroma of coffee fills the air? That happened to me this morning. My brain flashed on last year's chaotic Black Friday sale at Walmart. I stood in a tug-a-war with a woman over the last discounted electric blanket. We locked onto the merchandise like it was the "Ark of the Covenant" finding. But, when our eyes met, a smile formed, and in unison said, “You take it.” However, in the middle of that chaos, the most unexpected moment of peace radiated around us, and that peace announced the words to this ancient blessing: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV). Those powerful verses, once spoken over the Israelites, were the same words God wants to use in your life. He blesses our day by revealing Himself in small, surprising ways. No matter the circumstance, God turns his face on us and gives us peace—whether that might be in an aisle at Walmart. How amazing is that? You see, God's mercy and compassion are always worth praising. His blessings wrap us in a warm blanket softening our spirit with joy. Precious one, our God knows your deepest hopes and fears. He can calm every inner storm with just a whisper. The heart of our God cares for you and loves everything about you. His shining light glimmers and sprinkles grace upon you. So, dear one, turn your face toward Him and when He shines his face upon you, give Him thanks for the big things, small things, and even wild little surprising things. As you rest in the goodness of who He is, remember His little shoulder taps are far better than any Black Friday sale. Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the love You send my way. I praise You for the goodness of who You are and that You know my deepest hopes and concerns. You also know how to calm my inner storms. Bless You for all that You are in my life. In Jesus name. Amen. 🧡SPIRITUAL SPARKS 🧡 Have you ever felt a shoulder tap from God? What was He telling you? What small, surprising blessing can you thank God for today? "God blesses each of our days by revealing Himself in small, surprising ways" ~~LM

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6 NKJV Praising God is the 'thank you' that refuses to be silenced. We can praise our God everywhere. You can praise Him when you've squashed a stinkbug three times, only to have the armored beast rise in helicopter fashion and dive straight into your hair. Been there. You can praise Him when dinner 'got too blessed' in the oven and the smoke alarm blares its never-ending beep. Done that. You can praise Him when you didn't invest in Microsoft because you thought it was a "new and improved" foot cream from Avon. No comment to protect the innocent. There is no limit to where, when, or how to praise God. Just lift your believing heart and "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Psalm 150:6 NKJV) . Praise shifts our focus away from our wants—and refocuses our hearts on His presence, His power, and His love. When we worship God, we see who we really are and begin to understand our purpose in life. It strengthens our faith and builds a firmer foundation beneath us. Years ago, while at work in the medical field I remember quietly humming a hymn while two co-workers argued over the temperature in our small office. They stopped mid-argument, looked at me, and went back to work. Either they thought I was crazy—or they saw the fourth man in the fire. All I know, during that turmoil, God heard me. How do I know this? Because the next morning, the thermostat was encased in a plastic cover with a lock. No one touched it again. Amen. Praise doesn't wait for the perfect moment; it creates one. So, dear friend, the greater we see our God, the smaller our problems become. Praise Him for His mighty acts. Praise Him for His greatness. Praise Him for the ancient hymns. Praise Him for the new worship music. Praise Him for the Bible that gives us wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration. Even when life gets noisy, messy, or hard to handle, let's praise God and be the 'thank you' that refuses to be silenced. Because as long as we have breath, we have a reason to praise. Heavenly Father, Help me remember that praise doesn't wait for the perfect moment—it creates one. Let my heart be a 'thank you' that refuses to be silenced, whether I'm joyful or messy or quietly humming the tune to "In The Garden." I know You will always walk with me and talk with me and tell me I am your own. In Jesus name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks When you're right in the middle of a stinkbug situation, how can you find a small moment to praise God? How are you the 'thank you' that refuses to be silenced? Be the 'thank you' that refuses to be silent. ~~LM

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 NKJV Do you have a purpose in life? Of course you do. We all walk this earth guided by the realm of God's plan. So, whether our daily walk involves toting our kids to the grocery store, buying a house, getting married, working our way up the corporate ladder, or simply sitting in a chaotic traffic jam, each stage or event gives cause for the next step. There are times when faith feels clouded, like stars lost inside the storm. But even then, they're still shining—and so is His plan. With God's unconditional love and His heartfelt guidance, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28 NKJV). As we go through the different stages of life, God guides our steps toward a greater purpose, a purpose He wants fulfilled. Think about it. Look back at how each stage of your life has unraveled. The highs, the lows, the blunders, and the successes. We may not understand His divine plan, but He always has our main purpose in mind. You see, God's plans are bigger than we can even imagine. He is why we walk this planet. He is the breath in our lungs, the beat in our heart. So, let's keep our faith strong, have patience, and know God is in control. His ways may not always be easy, but then life wasn't always easy for Jesus.  Precious One, allow your heart to follow God's lead. Look for the beauty of where your life started and where it now stands. You are exactly where you need to be in order to fulfill your God given purpose. He has a plan and it's perfect even when the way is rough. Heavenly Father, Thank you for walking beside me through every twist and turn of this life. When I can't see the road ahead, remind me that you are the light guiding my steps. Even when the way is rough, God's purpose remains steady and good. In Jesus name. Amen. 🩵SPIRITUAL SPARKS 🩵 What helps you trust God's plan when you can't see the way forward? What part of your life might God be using to shape His greater purpose in you? "Allow your heart to follow God's lead." ~~LM

"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." Mark 10:15 KJV Step into the world of a child, and suddenly the ordinary becomes the enchanted extraordinary. You'll see kingdoms rise from couch cushions, ballerinas twirl across the room, soldiers march into castles armed with nothing more than cardboard swords and boundless imagination. Their joy is a fountain, flowing and bubbling without hesitation, without shame. I confess—I've been there. I used to fill a wheelbarrow with rubber ducks, add water, and proudly declared I was training dolphins for Sea World. And from the towering heights of my puppy's doghouse (our very own Mt. Everest), I practiced bird calling and even tossed out a yodel or two. In those moments, my world was limitless, and my heart was as free as the cotton candy clouds above me. Imagine yourself reaching for God with that same abandon—no tongue-tied prayers, no rehearsed words ... just music rising from the soul without a script. You see, God doesn’t require performance; He desires presence. He longs to walk inside your thoughts and cradle your dreams, to know your inner child wants Him and only Him. That’s the kind of love He craves—a devotion unclouded by fear of critics or cynics, a surrender untethered from self-consciousness. As the verse reads: "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein" (Mark 10:15 KJV). Beloved, do not let your older child silence your inner child. Allow your spirit to rise and soar among the cotton candy clouds. Heavenly Father, Childlike faith is the doorway to Your kingdom and is easier said than done. Teach me to lay down pride and hesitation and come to you with simple trust. Quiet the critics and cynics in my mind, and clothe me in the freedom of a child who simply delights in worshiping You. In Jesus name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks 1. Are you holding back parts of your heart from the One who already knows you completely? 2. When was the last time you felt free in God's presence? God doesn’t require performance; He desires presence.~~LM

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV Some roads sparkle like gold in the sun. Others curve into the shadows, stirring our curiosity and promising mystery. But not every road takes us where we hope to go, not every path leads to peace. Then comes the moment the trail splits and life asks: right or left? Let's be honest—we've all taken a detour or two. Decisions are a part of life. Choices shape us. So, we see the split and say, “Ooooh, I wonder where that one goes!” Or maybe that daring friend grins and says, “This way ... it’ll be fun!” And guess what? Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn’t. The wrong path doesn’t always display a warning sign. It often begins with something small—a book, a movie, a joke, a shortcut. You tell yourself, “This isn’t so bad.” Until it is. Until the pavement beneath our feet cracks and crumbles ... and suddenly we find ourselves walking barefoot on a gravel road—alone. At that point, each step stings, our soul aches, and the Holy Spirit whispers: "This isn’t peace." Precious one, if you’re running a good race, stay in your lane. If someone tugs on your sleeve and urges you down another trail, glance ahead before you follow. If it costs you your peace, it's too expensive. That's a lesson Peter—an apostle of Jesus Christ—had to learn during his own journey. Remember Peter? The guy who walked on water—and then sank? The guy who swore he’d never deny Jesus—and then did it three times before the rooster crowed? Peter fell hard. He'd taken the wrong turn more than once. Still, despite it all, after the resurrection Jesus gave Peter a new chance, a new purpose, and called him to feed His sheep. Jesus gave Peter back his peace. That’s grace. That’s truth. That's mercy. That’s the kind of path we want to stay on—even when we stumble. You see, Peter took the detour, but grace brought him back. Grace set his heart on fire for the truth. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV). Dear one, we've all lost our footing, our tender feet bruised by the bite of gravel. But God's grace will always find us, lift us and set us back on the main road. Pray and listen for the voice that leads to peace, not pressure. Stay in the lane that leads to love, not chaos. And when you see the fork ahead, stand your ground and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your steps home. Heavenly Father, When detours arise, set my feet on solid ground and show me the way to peace. Allow me to always hear Your voice in times of need. May the Holy Spirit guide me, so that I may humble myself under Your mighty hand, that you may exalt me at the proper time, and that I may cast all my anxiety on You. In Jesus' name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks When "detours" arise, where is the first place you should look for peace? When the Holy Spirit whispers, do you stop and listen for His grace, His mercy, His truth? "Peter took the detour, but grace brought him back." ~~LM