Good morning... A few days back, a sobering announcement came into my blog email. It took away my breath and brought me to tears. Your list has lost a subscriber: Julie Harlan. I thought to myself, "What an understatement. We have lost much more than a subscriber." Julie was a devoted wife and mother, a beloved daughter and friend, [...]
Good morning... "I always stand in awe of how my morning readings are woven together," she wrote as she shared with me Richard Rohr's meditation from yesterday morning. That very same day, God had been schooling me in this truth: "Comparison kills. Conversation brings life." Our heart raises the white flag of surrender as we exchange our will for [...]
Good morning... I gave birth to each one of our four kids naturally. When birthing new life, we endure extreme pain with a well-defined purpose. Near the end of the process, a significant shift occurs. Having spent hour after grueling hour weathering waves of contractions, keeping the baby "in," it finally comes time to get the baby "out!" Each [...]
Good morning... If you knew your close friend would betray you by evening's end, would you sit down beside him and share a meal? If you knew this would be your final dinner, would you willingly pull up a chair and relax into your seat? If you knew this celebration would lead to your death, would you show up [...]
Good morning... Our friends plan fun, memorable birthday parties, so we were excited to be invited to their home to be taught by a sushi chef. Making our own sushi for dinner was a fascinating way to celebrate a fifty-something birthday season. Our handmade creations were imperfectly delicious. Roll by roll, bite by bite, laughter was sparked and our [...]
Good morning… Last night I loved speaking with a group of women at the Cathedral of St. Philip. A few weeks back, the organizers and I discerned the topic for the evening: "Listening to God's Lead." We agreed that one of the biggest challenges in our jam-packed lives is listening to the lead of God. As a group we [...]
Good morning... "The silence of God is the greatest test of our faith," says German theologian Helmut Thielicke. Yet, he continues, "The silence of God and Jesus is not of indifference. It is the silence of higher thoughts. God is fitting stone to stone in His plan for the world and our lives, even though we can see only [...]
Good morning... In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, the Bible records a historic inauguration. Remember with me that the Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, offering chiseled-in-stone rules-to-live-by for the followers of the one true God (Exodus 20). Upon those commandments, the people of Israel founded their nation, creating their laws and forming their government. Yet over time [...]
Good morning... "I’ve been a nervous wreck!" she said in her email. "I’ve been praying for peace, and your weekend devotionals have really helped and reaffirmed what I already know - God is with us, He’s for us, and He has a plan. I have to trust completely in Him. And let go of worry and fear. I opened [...]
Good morning... On the spur of this moment, I am planning a 6:00 am surprise birthday party. My son turns 22 today. My daughter turns 20 tomorrow. Snow is predicted to shut down Atlanta this afternoon, wreaking havoc on our Plan A birthday plans. So, unbeknownst to my sleeping family, eggs and pancakes, and birthday cake and presents will [...]
