Good morning... "I absolutely love the checkmark visual," one subscriber wrote after Saturday morning's post. "The word descent makes me think of falling completely in love and being totally dependent on God at happy times - my wedding and the birth of our children - in addition to the really difficult seasons." She's right. Painful life seasons (the [...]
Good morning... Her text was short. "Needed a sign today." Then she shared one photo...one cartoon. I texted back. "Both of these are so so perfect. Your before and after is stunning, a work of art created and recreated by the God of the universe." Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person [...]
Good morning... Right here. Right now. There is always something to savor. As I wake this Sabbath, I gush a quick list. sunny, blue winter sky (a welcome change from days of grey drizzle) the joyful love of our quirky dogs surprise overnight visit from our youngest daughter and friends (homemade Stromboli is a magnet) surprise overnight visit [...]
Good morning... Driving around Atlanta each and every February, my spirit cringes at the sight of crape myrtles cut back, harshly pruned, large limbs severed to their trunk. Pricked by their visual barrenness, I remember the long, hard season when the life of my dreams was severed, pruned, cut back to my very Core. Every year at this [...]
Good morning... Remember? I shared with you that my parents, ages 80 and 81, moved away from our hometown of Berea, Ohio after living there for over fifty years. Following the lead of several good friends, on November 1st, 2018 they moved into a two-bedroom, two-bath villa in a continuing care, retirement community twenty minutes away. In early [...]
Good morning... This Sabbath morning, I come upon a quiet quote, like picking up one weathered shell from the winter beach. “Usually, when the distractions of daily life deplete our energy, the first thing we eliminate is the thing we need the most: quiet, reflective time. Time to dream, time to contemplate what's working and what's not, so [...]
Good morning... This midwinter week, what am I learning about the seamless dance between living fully and dying well? Monday: The wise words of Martin Luther King, Jr. leave a life-giving legacy, inviting us all up the mountain to God's higher way. Tuesday: Blending the wisdom of my Florida friend Betty Skinner, as she nears her 93rd birthday, with [...]
Good morning... A few of you wrote me touched by yesterday's morning message (use "Previous" link above to revisit post). I felt compelled to issue each a challenge: "Text me by evening and tell me some of the ways God amazes you today. I will do the same." So by the end of yesterday, these moments of amazement [...]
Good morning... Beloved American poet Mary Oliver tiptoed over from earth to heaven one week ago today in Hobe Sound, Florida. Might three of her most famous quotes shape our prayer time this morning? Read each. Pause quiet. Wait inspired. "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" "Instructions for [...]
Good morning... I love the unifying murmuration of Holy Spirit power I feel with Betty Skinner as she nears 93 years old and with Kitty Crenshaw and Dr. Cathy Snapp, the authors of The Hidden Life Awakened, the captivating book chronicling Betty's journey from deep clinical depression to the height of God's healing to wholeness. Together we also [...]
