Good morning... I have been praying really deeply for loved ones who are facing excruciating challenges. Praying for the promised power of God to rise up and buoy, to strengthen and empower. Many of you have been joining me on this quest, seeking to pray into existence the power of God on behalf of our loved ones. Yesterday, [...]
Good morning... I smile at this framed cross-stitch saying my mom made for me a few years back. During the pandemic pause, my mom watched from afar as our ministry to women continued to thrive, mainly through our interactive daily blog posts and through individually scheduled walk-and-talks, outside, one-on-one, social distanced. When my 58th birthday came around in [...]
Good morning... "From the center of our innermost being, we are transformed to transform the world with the gifts of God," concluded yesterday's post. "Power. Love. Self-control." After pushing "send" on our message, I climbed back into bed for my second sleep. As if the heart of the Spirit skipped no beat, upon my second waking, the title [...]
Good morning... After I asked a clarifying question, she said I was being rude. "Rude" was not my intention, but her strong reaction gave me pause. She felt judged by my inquiry. Thinking about it later, I felt convicted. I had brought up her past mistake and opened an old wound. To her that felt like judgement. I [...]
Good morning... When I was growing up, summer was a unique season to savor. Back then, summer always started after Memorial Day weekend, and we didn't returned to school until after Labor Day weekend. School schedules have certainly changed, haven't they? With an early August start for many schools, the months of June and July now condense the [...]
Good morning... "She will look back over the kaleidoscope of her life and notice how the fragments of experience that made no sense at the time were, all along, shaping a rather beautiful pattern." This is the sentence God used to snag me, to capture me, to coax me into teaching last semester's book, "Simple Faith" by Margaret [...]
Good morning... When I walk and talk with one dear friend, she often notices stray worms inching aimlessly across the surface of the sidewalk. Gently, consistently she picks up every lost worm she sees, placing each in the familiarity of the soil beneath the soft green grass. "I know you love caring for stray worms," I wrote her [...]
Good morning... Heading into yesterday, I read the monthly devotional message written by my husband Steve, the Upper School chaplain at The Lovett School. Through Steve's keen wisdom God spoke in surround sound as I prepared my heart for a two day training with our talented Northside Church staff. ****** Chaplain's Devotional by Rev. Steve Allen, October 17, [...]
Good morning... "When you pray, simply dwell on one line," she encouraged, "something like sucking on a candy rather than gobbling it up, or soaking in a bath rather than jumping in and out of the shower." I prayerfully dwell on one Bible verse. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them [...]
Good morning... This week I learned a fascinating fact. The biggest booster of dopamine, our brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter, is community. Life-giving relationships boost our spirits more than a brisk walk, a great meal or an awesome glass of wine! No wonder we can’t wait to return to our weekly classes offered through Northside Church. Every semester, I am [...]
