by Chris Maxwell | Jun 9, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
My hands hold your Holy Body Me, Mary, the Hebrew girl next door Holding a Holy God God with us God with me God, please be with me My heart has never beat faster My head is full of reflection Joseph comforts me with his touch Father, please comfort him tonight We’ve...
by Chris Maxwell | May 29, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
I’m listening to Nickel Creek’s song “Doubting Thomas” as I’m typing—seeing what words come out for this chapter. Words from my own doubt. Words from many years of internal questions and external responses. Words here in the now as I remember biblical stories and...
by Chris Maxwell | May 5, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
See possibilities for acts of kindness. Choose to live in love, replacing missed opportunities with ministry moments: • Smile at a friend. Thank them for the many blessings they bring your way. • Smile at a stranger. A glance from eyes of one displaying God’s love is...
by Chris Maxwell | May 2, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
The family never spent Christmas that way before. They would never spend it that way again. Opening presents and eating meals couldn’t turn their minds toward holiday gusto. Not that year. Tears replaced laughter. Fears flavored moods. Carolyn, whose humor normally...
by Chris Maxwell | Apr 22, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
Pausing doesn’t end correctly by concluding with a time of respite and reflection. Those are appetizers preparing us to be the people we truly crave to be. It isn’t all internal. It moves us forward, upward, outward. What do we become? World changers. Lovers. Friends....
by Chris Maxwell | Apr 17, 2018 | Blog, Book Excerpts
By taking a little time to reflect and pause, we might not rush past the now. By appreciating the messy yards as we gently guide our kids toward better habits, we might find wonder and grace in times of correction and teaching. By looking back at their younger days...