When my husband and I travelled to visit-and hopefully encourage-global workers around the world, I confess, some countries got more prayer than others. The prayers usually had to do more with the creatures than the people. Some of those countries came with how-to instructions. “Always shake out your clothes before you put them on.” “Make […]
Continue ReadingDefining Peace When We Have None
If you have been disturbed by current events, you aren’t alone. We’ve had weeks of images difficult to forget. Wouldn’t it be so nice to turn on the TV and find the world at peace, evil conquered, calm and safety reigning? Don’t we all wish to erase forever the heartbreak of endless sorrow? Together we […]
Continue ReadingTo Share or Not to Share
Have you ever wondered what to share, how to share or even if you should share something? I have. We see this paradox in Asaph. He authored Psalm 73 with a conflicted heart. He admits to being in a slippery spot in his faith. What he saw in the lives of others made him […]
Continue ReadingAre You Afraid of the Dark?
Ah, Spring. You’ve been a long time coming. The day was perfect as I walked the neighborhood. The depth of the sky’s blue called me. Azaleas bloomed in vibrant bush bouquets. Every bird’s choral rendition opened to their unique song page. Bright shades of green burst all around. I walked and prayed, my senses overwhelmed. […]
Continue ReadingHow Good Do You Think God Really Is?
Between believers, a high-five of “God is good,” covers a lot of ground. It is inspired by a happy outcome, good grade at school or maybe a really good deal on a new pair of shoes. How content I am with a certain situation might reveal how good I think God really is. “God is […]
Continue ReadingGrowing Up To Be Mom
Little hands on mighty hips, my seven-year-old face-offed with her teacher. The innocent question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” torched the classroom. It seems out of the entire class only my daughter thought the response, “I want to be a Mom,” worth defending. Like a ninja warrior. I’m afraid the […]
Continue ReadingThe Rock That’s Higher
There is a rock outside the church we attend. It’s a huge sort of how-in-the-world did that-big-thing-get-there boulder. It shoots out of the ground with no apparent means or logic. Whether it grew in place or if someone somehow planted it there no one knows. And every Sunday after church kids swarm to the […]
Continue ReadingIt’s Not Over Yet
Holidays come down with a splat for me once they are over. If I’d schedule a pity-party that is precisely when it would be. It’s symptomatic of intense preparation coupled with a lack of forward vision. And so, in the aftermath of cleaning up and eating leftover lamb, I find in my quiet house […]
Continue ReadingWhy Did Mary Anoint Jesus For His Burial Before He Died?
A big plastic red cup sits on the edge of the tub where he bathes. It keeps company with a yellow ducky, Noah’s ark, and a flapping tailed fish. The cup, once used for drinking water, now has graduated to one of those communal rites of childhood baths. Dipped and filled it streams a river […]
Continue ReadingThe Biggest Reunion
“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 ESV Fifty years is a long time. Half a century. It’s also just a breath, feather-light and temporary. My […]
Continue Reading