Good morning... After days of drizzly rain, I stepped outside with our dogs at dawn. For the first time this approaching spring, I heard an invisible bird sing, sing, sing. Melodic. Mesmerizing. Mysteriously unseen. I stood a while in the soggy grass, admiring the playful song. This early morning experience drew me to a book I have loved [...]
Good morning... We are on a journey. "It's a journey that includes paying attention to yourself over a period of time, being curious about your reactions to situations, and reflecting on your inner world," encourages Marilyn Vancil on page 48 of Self to Lose, Self to Find; Using the Enneagram to Uncover Your True, God-Gifted Self. "It is, [...]
Good morning... In these early morning hours, I pull out the bulletin from Scott's celebration service. Out fall the eight small pages of notes I took during the zesty tribute. Reading through my scribblings again, the unique flavor of Scott's vibrant life comes back in full force. Scott's two brothers and a handful of friends spoke alongside our [...]
Good morning... As I was in Ohio visiting with my parents, my siblings, and the first grandbaby on our side of the family, I missed our weekly arts and crafts time at PAWkids in downtown Atlanta. With about ten committed PAWkids volunteers connected to our Women's Ministry at Northside Church, the fun went on in my absence. "Yesterday, [...]
Good morning... "God in stereo!" she emailed me after yesterday's post, What's The True Purpose Of Prayer?" She shared with me a devotional message she had just read, a message amplifying the process of metamorphosis, God's Spirit gradually transforming ordinary people, like you and like me, into the very image of Christ. ****** "Truth For Life Daily: Alistair [...]
Good morning... Ordained as a Presbyterian minister, my husband Steve has been helping out a bit at Kairos Church, a small nearby church that is in between pastors. Last week, he led communion; this week he did a sweet baptism. The father of the baptized baby is one of Steve's former students from Lovett, and the paternal grandfather [...]
Good morning... Summertime for me is a very different season. At Northside Church, I work only eight hours each week for June and July, attending a monthly meeting for Pastors and Directors, responding to texts and emails each day, and keeping my commitment to walk/talk through life with the women connected to our vibrant ministry. On August 1st, [...]
Good morning... Over the years, several of us have traveled in small groups to Israel with my husband, Rev. Steve Allen, talented trip leader and head chaplain at The Lovett School. The experiences have been breath-taking, eye-opening, life-changing. Many more of us have enjoyed vicariously our blog posts from the Holy Land, year after year, during the spring [...]
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 [...]
