Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:14 I can say with confidence that everyone who loves Christmas also loves Christmas carols. Don’t get me wrong, there are different levels of carol-loving. Some of my friends literally start cranking holiday tunes in October. (These are theContinue reading “carol theology”

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with jubilation; Come before Him with rejoicing. Know that the Lord [b]Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:1-3 Who doesn’t love the iconic Christmas movie, “Elf”? (Seriously, if you’re not a fan, you mayContinue reading “Buddy-the-Elf enthusiasm”

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15 I was listening to an amazing and very heady Christian podcast called “Just Thinking”—it’s very intellectually demanding and spirit-inspiring, not the kind you can casually listen to at the gym. Anyway, the topic was indwelling sin in believers, and at one point one of theContinue reading “an asterisk life”

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns. The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.” Psalm 96:10 We hear a lot about “equity” these days. It’s a word that is thrown around a lot in culture, business, even church. But I’m not sure that everyone who jumps on the equityContinue reading “true equity”

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 As followers of Jesus Christ, we have given over our heavyContinue reading “feeling the weight”

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 In your quest forContinue reading “want to refresh? (part 3)”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Seeking true refreshment for your soul? Here is part 2 of the answer… 2. NOURISH YOURSELF WITH GOD’S WORD. Just as our physical body needs both water and food to survive and thrive,Continue reading “want to refresh? (part 2)”

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1-2 It used to be when you asked someone how they were doing, the pat answer was, “fine”—no matter what was going on. The past few years, however, that standard go-to answer seems toContinue reading “want to refresh? (part 1)”

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 One of the many (many) things I love about living in Florida is the presence of all the fruit trees randomly growing in people’s yards—oranges, lemons, limes, andContinue reading “essential Light”

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25 Some of you may recall watching a fascinating show called “Mutual ofContinue reading “isolation kills”