Tag Archives: Scripture

Angels to Guard You Wherever You Go

June 25, 2020 · by · in Book, Faith, Family, Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message · 1 Comment

“It seemed to her that the waves nodded strangely. She took her red shoes, her dearest possession, and threw them both into the river; but they fell close to the shore, and the little wavelets brought them back to the land to her. It seemed as if the river would not take from her the […]

Clearing out the Logs

September 5, 2019 · by · in Book, Books, Catholic, Christian, Faith, Family, Young in the Spirit · Leave a comment

If we don’t have enough opportunities in person, social media provides a platform for us to stand strong in our thoughts and beliefs. We have something to say, so we post it. But those thoughts and beliefs also include what we don’t like about others. If they aren’t following our path, they must be wrong, […]

Save It for Those Who Listen

December 10, 2018 · by · in Book, Catholic, Christian, Faith, Family, Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message · 1 Comment

“I am used to better things,” said the Beetle. “Do you call this place pretty? Why there is not even a dung heap.”  The beetle, in Hans Christian Andersen’s story by that name, may be an example of what Scripture calls an arrogant cynic (Proverbs 9:7-12, The Message version). Not only did the beetle believe […]

Read It Another Way

June 14, 2017 · by · in Book, Catholic, Christian, Faith, spirituality · Leave a comment

We go through life doing the same things in the same way because it’s how we’ve always done it. Those tried and true methods work for us. However, switching things around a bit often sheds new light on a situation, thought, or action. It can bring us to a higher level of understanding. There are […]

Ask and You Shall Receive

February 1, 2017 · by · in Book, Christian, Faith, Family, Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message, spirituality · Leave a comment

In The Snow Queen, Gerda was frightened, and she prayed the Our Father. Gerda could see her breath in the cold air, and her breath turned into angels. The angels protected and led her to the Snow Queen’s Palace. By praying the Our Father, Gerda’s prayer was answered. She asked for guidance and protection, and […]

Peace Begins with You and Me

September 23, 2016 · by · in Book, Catholic, Christian, Faith, Family, Fatima at 100.Fatima Today, Health, spirituality · Leave a comment

What a tumultuous world we live in. No one can dispute the fact that our world is in turmoil. Economic disparity, religious conflicts, racial and gender discrimination, substance abuse, greed, jealousy, and vengefulness are global flash points. At any moment, in any location, our fragile film of peace can, and often does, rip open into […]

Fairy Tales and Miracles

July 11, 2016 · by · in Book, Catholic, Christian, Faith, Family, Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message · Leave a comment

Fairy tales are the stuff dreams are made of, and dreams do come true. So do miracles. The weak become strong, the small are the giants, and the ugly and down-trodden rise to the top. We see this in fairy tales such as with the Ugly Duckling that grows into a beautiful swan, tiny Thumbelina […]

Twisting the Truth

December 15, 2015 · by · in Book, Catholic, Christian, Faith, Family · Leave a comment

Want a fun way to pray and ponder Scripture? Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message pairs passages from Andersen’s fairy tales with The Message (Scripture in contemporary language). Here is a sampling from the book: “But he has nothing on!” said a little child. “Just listen to the innocent!” said the child’s father. But […]

Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message

October 2, 2015 · by · in Book, Catholic, Christian, Faith, Family · Leave a comment

Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message. What can such a title mean? Well, think fairy tales and Bible. My newest book, Hans Christian Andersen Illuminated by The Message, pairs passages from some of our favorite fairy tales (Emperor’s New Clothes, Ugly Duckling, The Snow Queen, and The Steadfast Tin Soldier) with Scripture. It’s an […]