Good morning... As we wake on the twentieth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, admire with me the touching story of one young man who helped to save as many as twelve people with the final moments of his life. This is how we have discovered love’s reality: Jesus sacrificed his life for us. Because of this great [...]
Good morning... As the Women's Ministry Director at Northside Church, I love visiting with people who are facing unique challenges. Disease. Divorce. Depression. Difficult decisions. Death of a loved one. One person who has been a vibrant part of our ministry for years has also become the Pastoral Care Executive Assistant at our church. Through a freak accident, [...]
Good morning... "I just thought of you the moment I saw the rainbow❤" a midwife in Norway shared with me a photo she took from her home. "Wonderful how connections last despite time and distance!" "So easy to nestle into the power of God when we experience moments like these," I replied. As we nestle into the power [...]
Good morning... This week, I happened across this verse of the day on Biblegateway.com. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy (Psalm 94:18-19, NIV). It's kinda like a much-needed oil change. Isn't it? The fearful foot-slipping sensation is exchanged for the [...]
Good morning... "Our sweet Bettina went home tonite," Kitty Crenshaw texted Cathy Snapp and me at 10:22 pm on August 17th. (These two gifted friends are the co-authors of The Hidden Life Awakened, a holy book chronicling the life of Betty Skinner.) "Betsy asked me to go and anoint her body. It has been such an honor." "It is [...]
Good morning... After a morning of yard work, I sat on the couch to relax for a moment. A new-to-me music video reached out from our TV. I had never heard of this music group and had never experienced this inviting song - until this ordinary Saturday afternoon. Brought alive in a gentle embrace, together we are mysteriously [...]
Good morning... "Hi Sue, check out today’s Upper Room devotional," she wrote from her home in South Carolina. "It speaks to me as have the recent posts you have shared about our voice. TODAY, my favorite day, I will work hard to choose to imitate God’s great love." Quietly, I chose to respond to her nudge, checking out [...]
Good morning... Last night I made twelve Stromboli, six to serve our son's high school friends in our busy basement and six to share with his college friends as they move into their rental home this afternoon. Straddling two life chapters, two different seasons, two separate towns - Atlanta and Athens - Stromboli chills in our refrigerator right [...]
Good morning... "I asked the LORD what I should preach on today," said the pastor at the funeral. "I was led to a strange scripture - John 19:25." Mary, Jesus’ mother, was standing next to his cross, along with Mary’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. So when Jesus looked down and saw the disciple [...]
Good morning... In these early hours, I pull out my journal and re-read the notes I took as we watched from home the funeral of Dr. Leon Haley, Jr. held yesterday in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dying tragically in a jet skiing accident at 56 years old, Leon is mourned by family, friends, colleagues and three amazing [...]
