The Reason We Were Made
Good morning... Last Sunday our churches celebrated Pentecost Sunday, honoring the moment when the Spirit of God swept through the first followers of Jesus Christ. Our Bible tells God's story. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability (Acts 2.3-4, NIV). Because of [...]
See More And More Clearly
Good morning... "On the way over here," she said as she arrived for her spiritual direction session, "I was given the image of me sitting in the chair at the eye doctor's office. You know how you put your chin on that machine and you look through a series of lenses with the doctor asking, 'Which is better, this or that? Do you see more clearly with number one or number two? Now [...]
Some See The Zebras
Good morning... "Before my son's knee surgery a few years ago, the head of orthopedic surgery at Duke told me he was an English major," she texted me a story immediately after reading yesterday's post, The Spirit And The Zebra. "He also explained at this modest prestigious medical practice that he ALWAYS has at least one English major on his medical team. Because while we need the algorithm folks - science and math [...]
The Spirit And The Zebra
Good morning... One of the most beautiful parts of my work as Women's Ministry Director is watching the Spirit of God rise up and take form in the life of ordinary people. One woman, who has come to our semester book studies for years, has followed the Spirit's lead through a difficult divorce, through moving homes twice, through graduating children, and through trying to discern with God her life calling, the place where [...]
Our Answer Is Amplified
Good morning... My ongoing wrestling match with God erupted in our blog post for yesterday, Should I Stop Blogging? Digging deep down at the the crossroads of my personal calling I pondered two hard questions. "Do I still feel deep gladness as I wake each morning to write a fresh message with God?" "Does our written word ministry still meet a deep hunger in the world?" Having interacting intimately with many of you [...]
Should I Stop Blogging?
Good morning... "Sue," she emailed an inspiring story. "Recently, I was praying for a friend who lost their child unexpectedly. Shortly after the time of prayer, your email appeared in my inbox (which for unknown reasons had not in awhile). It was a second post from readers about rocks in streams." "I copied some of it and added some other impressions God put on my heart," she continued. "Then I shared it with [...]
One Dreamy Photo
Good morning... As I wake on our thirty-fourth wedding anniversary, I am drawn to a quirky picture hanging on our wall. Several months back I found this framed photo on a shelf at Goodwill. I brought her home, hung her upside down, and dumped out all of the dreams this image evokes. These playful children make me think of our four kids, who over the years have shared the art of making their [...]
Lean On Me
Good morning... There are a variety of ways to impact the world. Music is one of them. Last weekend I was introduced to a music video created by Playing For Change. Researching a bit, I discovered this quote: "Playing For Change is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. Our [...]
Hopes For Today
Good morning... Texting is a glorious addition to the everyday life of our family of six. Fewer missed calls to return. Less long, drawn out phone conversation to awkwardly end. No forceful expectations, "Get back to me now." Texting mutually beneficial times to talk creates greater bonding. Our ongoing string of texts allows a gentle touch, giving space and time for a genuine response. Our group family text feels like playfully skipping stones [...]
Give Off Gladness
Good morning... One reason I love to go to the Ignatius House Retreat Center is to browse their library of soulful books. The last morning of our retreat, I sat in my soft borrowed bed and flipped through pages of books I considered purchasing. One of these was Thirst, a book of Mary Oliver poems. As I played among the pages, I was drawn to this poem first. ****** WHEN I AM AMONG [...]
We’re Drawn Down Stream
Good morning... "Sue, I loved this daily devotional," she wrote after yesterday's post Fun Family Photos. "I'm one of five children and can so relate. Family trips are some of the best learning ground. I am printing out the paragraphs below to pin up on my fridge -- maybe for the whole summer. So important to remember. Thank you. 💟 ...we are always traveling through valley times and mountaintop experiences in our ordinary [...]
Fun Family Photos
Good morning... My friend shared breathtaking photos from Bryce Canyon National Park in yesterday's blog, Taught By A Tree. Inspired by our post, I walked downstairs and took off the wall a photo collage of our family during our pop up camper days. I snapped a few pictures of some of my favorite photos. Our long trips out west formed many of the sturdy roots beneath our family tree. Now, as an empty-nester, [...]