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Telling the Story: Stuck in the Time Machine
BY DAWN REED The timer started when the door closed. We were in a 1950s living room. Clues were hidden about; we just had to find them. Our niece, Cassie, recently stopped in Lexington on her way to Vermont. Our son thought it would be great to do an escape game while she was there.…
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Telling the Story: Pondering a Heaven-iversary
BY DAWN REED Do they eat cake in heaven? That’s one of the things I’m pondering today. My mom went to heaven three years ago this morning at 7 a.m. Sometimes my brain spins with what’s going on up there. The term “heaven-iversary” seems appropriate. (You have to say it a few times for it…
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The way maker chain breaker
BY DAWN REED On Sunday mornings, I worship in a warm, cozy sanctuary. I lift my frequently-offkey voice in songs of praise. I sing words that tell of chains being gone, of freedom, of God making a way, of His blessings. I sometimes raise my hands, though I am more prone to do it at…
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A season for everything
BY DAWN REED My beloved spoke words to me this week that cut me to the quick. I was minding my own business, not bothering anybody, when he announced, “I believe it’s time to take down the Christmas decorations.” I did not respond. I hate this time of year: the un-decorating of all things Christmas.…
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The hot cocoa do-over
BY DAWN REED Very early Sunday morning, I burned the hot chocolate. Two cups of sugar, one cup of cocoa, four dashes of salt, one cup of water, and 3 teaspoons of vanilla came to a boil and, before I knew it, began to smoke. Burnt cocoa is the worst. The stench filled the kitchen.…
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Learning from the wise men
BY DAWN REED Jan. 6 was the 12th day of Christmas, Three Kings Day, Epiphany, and Old Christmas all rolled into one. This special day celebrates the arrival of the wise men in the Christmas story (Matthew 2). I’m glad to have a specific time to appreciate those sages who traveled a great distance to…
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Crying out to the God of Heaven
BY DAWN REED Tuesday morning brought scary headlines about Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old football player for the Buffalo Bills. During the much-anticipated faceoff between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night, in a regular play, after a regular tackle, Damar stood, staggered, then fell to the ground. The unthinkable had happened: he suffered a…
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The gift of baby Jesus
BY DAWN REED The Christmas play was ready to begin. Angels and shepherds milled about. Evie, 3-years-old and dressed in white with gold trim, stood at the manger. She tapped the wood as she stared longingly at baby Jesus. We watched her as she watched the baby, wondering if she would grab him and run.…
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Good news for the shepherds
BY DAWN REED “And there were shepherds…” (Luke 2:8-20). How fitting. Moses had been one for many years and then became a shepherd to the people of Israel in the desert. David had been a shepherd as a boy. He penned our most favored Psalm. Often seen on cards or shared at funerals, Psalm 23…
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Christmas study at the jail
BY DAWN REED At the jail Sunday, female inmates sat on the floor as we studied the first part of the Christmas story. Due to the number incarcerated, we were squeezed into the visitation room. No one complained. We always begin by telling them why we’re there. We want to remind them that God sees…