Plug Into Power
Good morning... With a wild storm in the middle of the night, our internet was out, making writing our blog post impossible. Letting our dogs out, they anxiously stepped through downed debris to relieve themselves. When I turned around, the power went out. Complete black. We were unplugged from all light. I had no idea how to locate our candles and lighters in the pitch black of night. Flashes of lightning [...]
What Are We Spreading?
Good morning... "Sue, thank you for your dedication to sharing God’s word through daily, practical devotions," she wrote after yesterday's post, Small Acts Of Kindness. "While your messages frequently align with my personal struggles and challenges, I don’t take the time to share how they provide comfort. This morning the timing was just too perfect. I have a close friend currently caring for her sister with cancer and her daughter (home from college) [...]
Small Acts Of Kindness
Good morning... In this discombobulating time, we continue to possess the power to share small acts of kindness. As you watch the inspiring music video below, who might God coax you to touch in a small, kind way? Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding] (Ephesians 4:32a, AMP). ...Sue... P.S. If the Spirit moves you, please share with me a picture or a brief description of the kindness you leave [...]
Joy Fills Our Eyes
Good morning... Quickly scrolling through some old text messages between myself and two best friends, what stood out to me from the long sea of words was the pictures. The three images below captured my attention before God added an encouraging commentary. Wearied by the world, can we endure the powerful process of God's transformation? Beautiful wings carry us. Symbols of lasting love surround us. Old bindings fall [...]
Politics And Peace
Good morning... In our neck of the woods, we have so many amazing churches and wise leaders speaking truth into our lives. This week a friend shared with me an encouraging email sent by her pastor. Now I share a portion of his passionate letter with you. ******* Politics And Peace, excerpt from congregational letter by Bill Britt, October 23, 2020 Commit yourself to daily prayer – On October 6, 1774, John Wesley [...]
A Quiet Undertow And Overglow
Good morning... A few semesters back when we were able to freely gather together as learners in our living room, I remember reading these words aloud to our class. "Soulful people temper our tantrums by their calm," writes Richard Rohr, "lessen our urgency by their peace, exhibit a world of options and alternatives when all the conversation turns into dualistic bickering." For such a time as this, Rohr's words come back to comfort [...]
Betwixt And Between
Good morning... The last presidential debate has passed. Tons of votes have been cast. Many more will be gathered and counted. Now we wait suspended, betwixt and between, hopeful for what will eventually be. "We keep praying that our illusions will fall away," writes Richard Rohr. "God erodes them from many sides, hoping they will fall. But we remain trapped in what we call normalcy, 'the way things are.' Life becomes problem-solving, fixing, [...]
Lifted From Grief
Good morning... "I loved your devotional about feeling "torn to pieces" and God pulling us out of the hole," she wrote, referring to our exploration of Psalm 40:2 (VOICE), He reached down and drew me out of the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay. With a gentle hand, He pulled me out to set me down safely on a warm rock; He held me until I [...]
Our Cushion Of Eternal Calm
Good morning... "Here's today's excerpt from Streams in the Desert," she texted me a copy of yesterday's devotional message. "I'm trying to position myself in the cushion of God's peace today!" I loved discovering the "wisdom of the day" from this well-loved collection. ****** Excerpt from October 20 - Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [...]
Torn To Pieces
Good morning... I happen upon a German word, "Zerrissenheit," which means "torn-to-pieces-hood." Researching further, I meet some synonyms. Rift. Strife. Disunity. Fragmentation. Brokenness. Disjointedness. Inner turmoil or conflict. "Zerrissenheit," what a perfect word to meet two weeks before Election Day 2020. If feels like we are living in a ragged state of "torn-to-pieces-hood." Some think this, others think that. Some question this, others question that. Some proclaim this, others proclaim that. Some argue this, [...]
God Is Happening
Good morning... "I enjoyed this week’s materials and hearing your story," wrote the Creative Director who had just finished programming Week Six our Gift from the Sea study. "I admire your courage and vulnerability not just with God, but with your audience in sharing that story. It feels like a heavy one, but beautiful in its faithful ending." (Check out my most pivot life story below in Segments Four and Five of our [...]
Rest By The Light
Good morning... After re-waking in the morning, I re-read yesterday's post, Be Electrically Aware. In that moment, I lifted my energized eyes to see God's sermon sitting on the couch right in front of me. In one ordinary snapshot Gracie, our little yorkie-shitzu rescue, taught me a little bit more about prayer. Prayer is curling up by a patch of light cast by our living LORD, trusting that what is ours to do [...]