Good morning... During our therapeutic community group on Tuesday morning, we discussed things that are "out of my control" and things that are "in my control. "Out of my control" are these important facets of life. How healing happens. The scars of my past. What God thinks of me. Other's opinions. Results of my obedience. If others want [...]
Good morning... This Halloween morning 2024, I notice three things. An ending. A beginning. And the culmination of a fun season. First, today is the ending to the registration period for our "Finding Peace of Mind Through Brain Science & Spiritual Practices: A Faith-Based Symposium" being hosted at The Carter Center on November 15th. Remember? My dear friend [...]
Good morning... "Scanning now." Last Wednesday at 9:22 am, our Fab Five friends received this photo and this two-word text from Jennifer, Audrey's mom. (You may remember that Audrey, a beloved Northside Church member, is a freshman at Notre Dame who has been journeying with neuroblastoma since she was five and a half years old.) We all lifted [...]
Good morning... Feeling drawn to expand the words, I reworked the final paragraph of yesterday's blog post. "Enveloped in the symphony of the Spirit – before, during, and after this election – we surrender into the expansive grace of God," I wrote. "As we continue to gaze at him in trust, we become a part of the art [...]
Good morning... On this day when three of our four kids will vote early with my husband and me over lunchtime, I prepare my heart by savoring this powerful music video. With my whole self kneeling before the God of creation, I will cast my personal ballot of votes. Collectively, I trust the God of salvation to guide [...]
Good morning... "I love a blog called the Marginalian," a friend wrote me this week. "Here's an excerpt of poetry for today to share." So few grains of happiness measured against all the dark and still the scales balance. There is so much darkness in this wounding world. How [...]
Good morning... Another beautiful gift coming from Ignatius House Retreat Center this week is the following story about compassion, kindness, and the face of Christ in the checkout line. What a wonderful reminder as we wake on day 25 of the KIND30 movement! ****** The Face of Christ in the Checkout Line by Michael Leach When I was [...]
Good morning... Early every morning, God drops new seeds of thought into the rich soil of my innermost being. Yesterday, I received the weekly email from the Ignatius House Retreat Center. It was entitled "Seeds of Hope." "Remind yourself that you are in God’s presence," began the encouraging words. "I ask God for the grace to surrender to [...]
Good morning... Hurricane hell. Deep depression. Open heart surgery. Harsh cancer treatment. War and terror. Division, divorce, and death. Darkness seems to seep into every crevice of our wounding world. "The power of God's promise stunned me so much that I actually gasped out loud," writes Kay Warren on page 105 of Choose Joy. I will give you [...]
Good morning... Audrey DeShetler has been living with neuroblastoma since she was five and a half years old. Now she is a freshman at Notre Dame, loving her new friends and her college experience. "She is doing so well at ND," her mom wrote yesterday. "She has a group of friends who include her in everything. They have [...]
