Good morning... I love the rhythm of our Women's Ministry at Northside Church. We enjoy a fertile fall semester and a wonderful winter/spring semester, then, for the summer, we channel all of our study and our service opportunities into a few awesome options. Our weekly summer reading group begins at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 3rd. Our first [...]
Good morning... From all the loving texts and emails I have received since our first grandchild, Charlie, was born, one word of encouragement lingers. "How does the saying go?" a friend wrote. "There is nothing like a newborn to remind us that God has not given up on the human race. Charlie is the sweetest reminder. These are [...]
Good morning... On May 14th, we got our son Kyler's first text at 2:14 am. "At the hospital! Pray for us. Chandler is doing amazing." I wrote our blog post in the middle of the night, sharing their request for prayers, then I headed back to bed for my second sleep. At 9:00 am, his next text came [...]
Good morning... I received a special package this week from our former exchange student from Norway. Margit lived with my biological family for a year when she was a junior in high school, my sister was in ninth grade, I was in seven grade, and my brother was in fifth grade. Margit became a soul sister and a [...]
Good morning... When one odd word repeats itself, my keen awareness perks up. Yesterday, I reworked our post entitled Life Is A Patchwork. Then I climbed back in bed for my second sleep. When I woke again, I immediately read the following poem. Do you see what unusual word repeats itself? ****** "Rain Light" by W.S. Merwin All [...]
Good morning... "These words from Frederick Buechner captured me this morning…enjoy!" said the text from my friend. ****** Grace AFTER CENTURIES of handling and mishandling, most religious words have become so shopworn nobody's much interested anymore. Not so with grace, for some reason. Mysteriously, even derivatives like gracious and graceful still have some of the bloom left. Grace [...]
Good morning... Yesterday, my dad rang the bell, indicating the end of radiation treatment for his prostate cancer. Driving himself to nine weeks of five days per week was a huge, important commitment. What joy to celebrate the end of this life-giving accomplishment. Today, my dad turns 89 years old. For his birthday [...]
Good morning... As we wake on this early spring morning, how have you seen God at work this week? Look up. Smile. Thank. Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks [...]
Good morning... "This photo popped up this morning," wrote Jennifer DeShetler yesterday. "This is what I was thinking of when I shared the cake kits for needy families. Audrey made her brother's birthday cake every year. This photo was taken when she was 8 years old (12 years ago)." "Wow!" I replied. "What a picture of loving kindness. [...]
Good morning... Bursting on bare branches and decorating brown decay, vibrant green is everywhere! After weeks of thick yellow pollen and before the return of those pesky mosquitos, this weekend is perfectly positioned to exude joy and new life. Amidst blooming azaleas, towering pines and flowering dogwoods, the first full week of April always ushers in the Masters [...]
