Steve’s Thoughts On Scripture
Good morning... "I have learned now that while those who speak about one's miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more," Christian writer C.S. Lewis famously said. As the chaplain of the Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia for nearly twenty-five years, my husband Steve has been speaking candidly to this affluent community about the unique miseries we face at this time in our world's history. His chaplain's message for this week breaks [...]
Two Rainbows And A Baby
Good morning... "This week the shooting that took place at the high school in Winston Salem is literally right behind our home," she texted me. "It was so scary and sad. We had to lock down our neighborhood as the shooter was on the loose. Two boys from down the street were in school and I was so frightened for them." "I had already felt so angry and sad over the Afghanistan withdrawal [...]
Create Collaborative Community
Good morning... Weekly worship and Sunday school is one way to feed our deep need for collaborative community. Small group learning opportunities also offer us a way to learn and grow with God and one another. We, in the Women's Ministry at Northside Church, begin most of our weekday classes next Monday, September 13th. If you are looking to engage in a collaborative community of women, please browse the description of our fall [...]
We Celebrate Together
Good morning... "This popped up again on my Facebook feed to make us smiley today," she texted. "It's my home town, Bham." This energizing music video reminds me of the first verses of Psalm 150, which sound like this in the VOICE translation. Praise the Eternal! Praise the True God inside His temple. Praise Him beneath massive skies, under moonlit stars and rising sun. Praise Him for His powerful acts, redeeming His people. [...]
Reading This Rainbow
Good morning... "I just thought of you the moment I saw the rainbow❤" a midwife in Norway shared with me a photo she took from her home. "Wonderful how connections last despite time and distance!" "So easy to nestle into the power of God when we experience moments like these," I replied. As we nestle into the power of God, prayerfully ponder with me these three questions: If you had to give this [...]
Lifesaving Friends
Good morning... "Good morning, Sue," she wrote recently. "I've been enjoying your posts about your dear friend Betty Skinner crossing over the veil into heaven. I'm very sorry for your loss and know that she meant so much to you. I always thought it was so cool that you journeyed to meet this woman who had such an impact on your life (reminds me of the thrill I had traveling to England to [...]
Why Am I Grateful?
Good morning... This week I have become increasingly more grateful for two things I often take for granted: A solid roof above my head. A chance to come in out of the rain. Many people in our world do not have these two simple luxuries right now. Physically, emotionally, collectively, we have experienced harsh weather, driving rains and terrifying winds, searing heat and uncontrollable fires. [...]
How To Increase Your Joy
Good morning... "Sue," she texted yesterday, "we are also at the beach on St. George island. This morning we watched the sun rise in the east and to the west we saw dark threatening clouds moving across our beautiful island. But looking up between the light and the darkness was a full rainbow celebrating God's promise of his presence. I am reminded that between joy and fear there is always God's presence, if [...]
Gobbling Down Garbage
Good morning... At the beginning of this stormy week, I watched the sun rise. On my way back from the beach, I happened upon a slender, cream colored cat. Completely ignoring the warm sun at her back, this elegant little creature was caught gobbling down garbage. The image reminds me of an email I recently received from a friend: "I can't and haven't watched the news in years. It has a [...]
Experiencing Eerie Extremes
Good morning... Deep prayer is MINE to do, so with God I experienced yesterday's eerie extremes. "I don't watch the news often," I wrote in my 99-cent, black leather journal brought home from Goodwill, "but I feel drawn to do so today, this unique day of death and debris." Enveloped in the eerie silence, I watched the Dignified Transfer of the thirteen service men and women killed by a suicide bomber this week [...]
Amid High Winds And Hard Rains
Good morning... Waking on this Sabbath morn, my muddied heart sits still amid high winds and hard rains of various kinds. Though I am safely up the coast, I feel a prayerful solidarity with those hunkered down in the path of Hurricane Ida. I am praying, minute by minute, for the daughter of a dear friend who finally got a much needed bed in the ICU at an Atlanta hospital overrun with COVID [...]
I Can’t Take It Anymore
Good morning... A really wise friend who I admire profusely sent me a very honest article. "Great message today Sue!" she emailed me after yesterday's blog post After A Stormy Day. "Saw this last night - similar idea." I felt relieved, hopeful and energized after reading the following words. ****** If you can't take in anymore, there's a reason: an essay on circuit breakers, empty buckets, and the shame-show of social media by [...]