Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as HeContinue reading “shepherd lessons”

On that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.  ~John 16:26-27 What is it to “ask in Jesus’ name”? Do we useContinue reading “in honor of”

Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up myContinue reading “help me! I trust You!”

And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He gave us. ~1 John 3:24 “Passive-aggressive.” No one likes this descriptor that points to a person who indirectly resists the requests or demands of others (often through snide remarks) for theContinue reading “passive-aggressive”

Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ~Psalm 46:10 I’m not a horseback rider. In fact, I’ve been on a horse exactly twice in my life: once as a 12-year-old, which ended in a runaway gallop that threw me, resulting in a cracked tailbone;Continue reading “hand it over”

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, takingContinue reading “take offense”

Jesus answered them, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” ~John 9:3 I absolutely love chapter 9 of John’s gospel. It is my salvation chapter—the first time I truly heard the gospel (even after hardly ever missing MassContinue reading “accepting God’s why”

“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more He bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before Him.  John 8:7b-9Continue reading “drop the rock”