Good morning... "When we sit in silence, it’s true, we may not be doing anything. But we are un-doing so much," says blogger Emily P. Freeman. Emily continues: "The soul is made to receive. In the presence of God, we experience a right full-ness. But like a bucket left out in the yard, it will hold anything that comes [...]
Good morning... As we learned about the chaos of transition in our class last week, the letting go of what was, the discomfort of living in uncertainty, and the waiting in trust for God to rebuild a new life around us, she suddenly said, "That reminds me of when I was a kid." She went on to explain, "My [...]
Good morning... "Surely the Chinese curse is upon us: 'May you live in interesting times!'" writes Margaret Silf, author of The Other Side of Chaos, one of the books we are studying in my living room this semester. "And the ideogram for crisis also comes to mind, with its combination of the symbols representing 'danger' and 'opportunity' - a [...]
Good morning... As she nestled into the monastery for a weekend retreat, my friend read these framed words on the wall. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation and be notorious. - Rumi By nature, she plays it safe. She heeds the warning signs of her fears. Her reputation has taken a long time to [...]
Good morning... I love the contemporary worship service at Northside Church. I am welcomed each week by singers and musicians gifted in ways I am not. Music can disintegrate the thin veil between earth and heaven. Yesterday morning, my imperfect voice joined in praise with the live band, merging my heart and with the heart of our God. Enjoy [...]
Good morning... When are shattered like we have never been before and the life we knew lies in a thousand pieces on the floor, we are rushed into heart surgery. The Great Physician promises, "I will give them one heart [a new heart], and put a new spirit within them. I will take from them the heart of stone, [...]
Good morning... Do not ask me why, but I wake with my morning mind focused on an idiom. After researching the phrase my heart weds my mind. "Feathering one's nest" means to decorate and furnish one's home in style and comfort, which alludes to birds lining their nests with feathers to make them warm and comfortable. A weird truth [...]
Good morning... Having recently been through a life-changing loss she wrote: "Over the years I have collected matches from different places, playing cards, ski passes...all reminders of precious moments and places with my loved ones. And now, as I am going through so many things and having to/wanting to get rid, these collectibles have become painful reminders of a [...]
Good morning... Spring is tipping into summer everywhere I look. The pruned back branches of winter gave way to small leafy buds this spring, and now those same trees are exploding with green growth. I watched my neighbors' lawn guys dig up still beautiful pansies yesterday. Purple and white flowers remaining poised atop thinning, scrawny stems. A few weekends [...]
Good morning... With some people, it feels like a sin to "ask." Asking a question is like challenging authority. Asking for clarification means you are a bother. Asking about options can complicate matters and prolong a decision. With some people, asking for anything cracks the surface of their status quo and anger oozes out, messy and mean. This weekend, [...]
