Good morning... Heading into the holidays, we need reminders. Yet we must remember: It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth—this defiles a person (Matthew 15:11, CSB). Especially when we eat like crap, we are wise to rise from the table, to curl up on the couch, and to talk [...]
Good morning... In an unusual act, I set my alarm for just before 3:00 am, intending to pause and to change the message I had pre-programmed very early in the morning. A fifty-five year old husband, father, and friend to many was laid to rest yesterday, four days after he died in a freak car accident. I wanted to [...]
Good morning... When fully experienced, Scripture can be playfully powerful. This morning, we will soak in the wisdom of Psalm 51:12-15 (MSG). While we slowly read aloud each animated analogy, let's pause, pray, and ponder. Tickling our thoughts, stirring our feelings, releasing our imagination, might the Spirit yearn to softly saturate all of our many layers? Soak me in [...]
Good morning... I sat on our back porch, wind chimes clanking loudly, bold breeze tickling trees, leaves dancing freely, every-which-way. As I rested outside after our Carry the Torch luncheon, experientially my wind-blown skin felt the resounding truth: "This is not just a movie, this is a movement." Having shared goosebumps the night before over our favorite movie scene, [...]
Good morning... Interactive. One of the best things about our written word ministry is her interactive nature. I prayerfully listen for God's subtle movement. I sense a fresh smidgen of Holy Spirit wisdom. With God I craft a morning message, then I press "send" to reach out to you. You read and receive at your convenience. You prayerfully ponder, [...]
Good morning... She expressed concerned over crying so much. So I wrote to her my thoughts about the gift of tears. Grief is an unpredictable thing. "Crying so much lately" may feel like "going backward" instead of "making headway," but I think tears are a sign of the Holy Spirit deeply at work. Tears tenderize us and express overwhelming [...]
Good morning... Accepting my son's invitation from yesterday morning, I have prayerfully pondered my final tweet. Even though I have never tweeted before in my life, if given 140 characters, I might send this final tweet to the world. God made us unique, loves us just as we are. Jesus died for each sin, frees, leads, heals whole. Spirit [...]
Good morning... When I shared lunch with my longtime friend Julie Harlan on Thursday, February 16th, the word "cancer" did not enter our meaningful conversation. The next Tuesday she had her annoying symptoms of reflux checked out medically, and by Thursday she was given a shocking diagnosis. Stomach cancer. On Saturday when I visited her at home to listen, [...]
Good morning... Did I tell you that in January God brought a dog walker-whisperer into our Tuesday afternoon Bible study? Let me paint you the picture. We got our 8-week old puppy last June from Adopt-a-Golden Rescue and, when I began hosting daily classes in my home in September, Tate's puppy-ness was full-blown. She was an all-out-crazy bundle of [...]
Good morning... As I was browsing the nearest Goodwill store, a framed print caught my eye. Beside a funky image of a woman chopped up in colorful shapes, I read these words. "I have too much to lose she said, if I cross that line. Like what? I said. She could not think of anything that day so she [...]
