Good morning... This, the first day of August, marks a change of season for many families in our community. This month, summer quietly comes to an end and the school year too soon begins. What a perfect time to look closely at who we are becoming. Becoming who we really are, we consider these three questions today. How [...]
Good morning... Sharing how she felt about her recent break up after six years of dating, our daughter began reading aloud a quote she had just posted. "Give it everything you've got, then let go. Show up fully. Take the risk. Have the hard conversation..." her voice trailed off into tears. "You read it," she said. So I [...]
Good morning... "I love the image of Jesus’ outstretched hand ❤️," she wrote after yesterday's post. "Right now I have had some devastating weeks with complications after my cancer treatment. Slowly recovering and welcoming all medical and psychosocial support. 🙏 Been in hospital for 9 days surrounded by love and dedication. Love, Margit." You might remember Margit, my [...]
Good morning... Loss. Surgery. Rehab. Divorce. Caretaking. Health challenges. Alzheimers. Addiction. Heartbreak. Many of us are facing many hard things. "I am claiming these words these next days," one friend wrote to our Sunday afternoon class. "If you are betwixt, if you are between, if you are in the midst and the middle and the muck, if you [...]
Good morning... She mentioned a line from a poem by John O'Donohue. I searched and discovered the poem in its entirety. Featured in To Bless the Space Between Us, this beautiful writing offers us solace by suggesting that our deceased loved one remains present in our hearts. ****** On the death of the beloved: Blessing and Funeral Poem [...]
Good morning... Today we will gather to honor the tender life of Jessica Martin. The simple quote above captures her essence. Jess loved very, very deeply. She listened attentively. She whispered prayers often. When moments of peace settled in, she fully embraced them. Jess gave her time to God and to the people who mattered most. Her very [...]
Good morning... During the dark night of our soul, we slow down to simplify everything. Do not chase. Simply bloom. Stay rooted in Christ. Grow in grace. Trust God's timing. What belongs, He will bring. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through [...]
Good morning... Last Wednesday, I spent quality time with a new friend from Northside Church. She’s been a very active member for a long, long time, but, as she has taught art to kids during the day for over twenty years, she’s never been able to take one of the daytime classes I teach each semester. Now in [...]
Good morning... From all sides we are bombarded. Wars and worries. Death and depression. Anxiety and addiction. Conflict and confusion. Pain and problems. Into life's cacophony, my neighbor sent a centering image. Slow down. Notice blessings. Love the people on your path. “Eternal Lord, [...]
Good morning... Well, two things can be true. First, after playing terribly and losing 4-1 to Belgium in last night's game, the USA soccer team will not win the 2026 World Cup. Second, I love a creative commercial which brings to life our high hopes as a hosting nation. Stepping over the division, controversy, and corruption running rampant, [...]
