Good morning... After reading the quote by Rachel Held Evans shared in yesterday's blog post, as a class we decided to study Rachel's newest book next semester. It's entitled Wholehearted Faith. Up in the middle of the night now, I research a little bit about Rachel, an American Christian columnist, blogger and author. My google search reveals a [...]
Good morning... Our pastor read Proverbs 31:10-31, a section of scripture which bears the heading: The Wife of Noble Character. I heard a familiar voice behind me whisper, "Those words describe Marilyn perfectly." One particular verse lingers in my mind from yesterday's simple service honoring the extraordinary life of 92 year old Marilyn Davis. Strength and dignity are [...]
Good morning... I love this smiling photo of Marilyn. Relaxed in her skin. Always well dressed. Exuding the Spirit of God. Marilyn is one of the top ten most influential people in my own life of faith. Dear Marilyn Davis... We know that God not only loves you but has selected you for a special purpose. For we [...]
Good morning... Another loyal friend, a daily blog reader and longtime Northside Church member, wrote to me recently, sharing the photo above, offering a tribute to Audrey DeShetler who went to heaven in June. ****** Audrey's Race Is Won by Vilda Brennan About 10 years ago, I took a course called Soul Collage. I loved the concept of [...]
Good morning... Around 3:00 pm yesterday, from Jennifer DeShetler our small group of friends received a text. "Audrey just passed." Then privately she wrote me. "Who is the pastor on duty?" "I will ask," I replied. "Will get back to you." "Please asap." I connected her to Dr. Bill, our head pastor at Northside Church. Soon after, I [...]
Good morning... Last night, on the grounds of my parents' senior living community in Ohio, I went on a walk at dusk, around 7:30 pm. At 7:56 pm, I received this update from the DeShetler family. I gave my full focus to [...]
Good morning... This morning, my soul possesses the Spirit of the living God. So does yours. So does Audrey's. So do the souls of her family and all her many loved ones. Our souls all possess the Spirit of the One and Only, the everlasting God. The eternal power of God is not contained by heaven and earth. [...]
Good morning... At 10:00 am at University Hospital near Cleveland, Ohio, my dad had surgery scheduled to remove a cancer spot on his leg yesterday. I stayed at their villa, caring for my mom. At 9:30 am yesterday at CHOA in Atlanta, Georgia, Audrey DeShetler was scheduled to have surgery to put in a stent to open up [...]
Good morning... After waking from my second sleep, I savored again yesterday's post One Terrifying Step. In the next moment, I happened upon the poem below, and God continued our conversation. Now I invite you into our dynamic discussion. ******* FEAR by Khalil Gibran It is said that before entering the sea a river trembles with fear. She [...]
Good morning... As the light of the moon thickens in the sky, we sense the presence of the Almighty God. In the morning, the conclave will begin the process of electing the 267th Pope, following the death of beloved Pope Francis. The Holy Spirit will lead this secretive process, drawing a two-third-plus-one majority vote from among the 133 [...]
