Jeff Hampton – Page 100 – Jeff Hampton, Writer

December 13, 2020

Rejoice in Healing

Third Sunday of Advent

From Wilshire Advent Devotions 2018

There’s no denying it: Not everyone gets healed from every illness, injury or disease. We can do everything the doctors prescribe, we can pray earnestly and bolster ourselves with prayer chains and warriors, and yet there are no guarantees. Some will be healed, and some will not be healed. Some will leave the hospital and go on to live long sunny lives, while others will be sent home with a few precious days left on the calendar or a lifetime of obstacles to endure. That’s the hard truth, and it hurts. It may make us ask, “What’s the point?”

December 12, 2020

Unchanging

Second Saturday of Advent

Originally posted Monday, December 28, 2009

On Christmas Eve as I sat in a candlelight service at church, I became momentarily overwhelmed by the changes that life has brought. Just two years ago I sat in that same place with Debra. Last year she was gone from us and I spent Christmas with family elsewhere. This year I sat in church with new friends.

December 11, 2020

Not So Ordinary Time

Second Friday of Advent

Originally posted Tuesday, June 18, 2013 – SUMMERTIME

Laying on my back at the dentist office while the hygienist prepared her tools to clean my teeth, the music coming over the sound system prompted me to sit up and ask, “Is that ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,’ I’m hearing?” The hygienist stopped her work, listened, and sighed, “Yes, the system keeps switching to Christmas.” She left the room for a moment and by the time she returned I was hearing the usual, ordinary, nondescript light jazz.