Let Your Life Speak
Good morning... "I must listen to my life and try to understand what it is truly about - quite apart from what I would like it to be about - or my life will never represent anything real in the world, no matter how earnest my intentions," writes Parker Palmer, author of the book we will be digesting and discussing in my living room this semester. Parker continues: "That insight is hidden in the [...]
God’s Word Lights Our Path
Good morning... As I wake, an old song wells up within my soul and I marinate in a tried, true favorite performed live in 2007. Though I do not know what language is being translated in this YouTube video, I love the foreign subtitles and the clearly-moved crowd visually reminding me: God's Word lights the path for every person born to earth. Enjoy this beautiful blast from our past, harmonizing today and every day, [...]
All Is Well – Eventually
Good morning... Waking to frigid temperatures, she playfully texted me after yesterday's post, "Heaven may be better than Hawaii, but I wouldn't mind going to Hawaii now..." (three smiley, sunglassed emoji faces). "Agreed. Do you know Messiah and his family?" I asked because my friend has close ties to our cancer community. "No, I don't," she answered. "I was joking because I only read the title of your message. I just read your post [...]
Direct Or Reflect?
Good morning... A prayer grows roots deep in my soul. "LORD, You are the Director. Help me be a clear reflector." I envision a still lake reflecting the pink-purple pastels painted by the rising sun and the old oak trees silhouetted by the same sun as it sets. The more still the water, the more clear the moving reflection. I rest with the lake, remaining still while God moves. "As we take seriously Scripture's [...]
Heaven Is Better Than Hawaii
Good morning... Throughout this Christmas season, a small group of us have been praying for a boy with cancer named Messiah. "My Make A Wish child, Messiah, passed away this morning," our friend texted us midday, completely brokenhearted. "We didn't have time to fulfill his wish of going to Hawaii. Life is so short and precious." "I'm so sorry, you are so right about life being short," one friend texted back. "I am sorry [...]
From “I Want” To “You Want”
Good morning... After yesterday's post, I pondered all day, "What is my 'one thing'?" What is the 'one thing' I cling to that shrinks heavens treasures while I walk this earth? My fear of pain. My love of comfort. My desire to get what I want when I want it. "LORD, is there really only 'one thing' I lack?" As I woke this morning in my cozy bed I felt a shift in my [...]
My Deep Prayer For Us
Good morning… I accidentally ran into a Bible verse I have never before met. This blessing is tucked away in Jude, the easily-missed, two-page book of the Bible appearing just before Revelation. This sentence sums up my deep prayer for each of us, as we tiptoe slowly into a brand new year. May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you [filling your heart with the spiritual well-being and serenity experienced by those [...]
One Life-Altering Prayer
Good morning... As we walk away from what has been and step toward what will be, she sent me a beautiful prayer written by Leighton Ford, a mentor for emerging Christian leaders from across the globe. ****** Lord, give me I pray: A remembering heart for the things that have happened An attentive heart to what I have learned A forgiving heart for what has hurt A grateful heart for what has blessed A [...]
God’s Plans Work Out
Good morning... Life dishes out tons of trouble and some of us are served a high, heaping helping. Troubles come in many forms: short-lived or long-lasting, self-inflicted or unexpected, collectively experienced or randomly singled out. For some of us, troubles are fueled by our inner critic: "I can't believe you said that. Did that. Messed up. Again." For others, troubles attack us like an outside enemy: crime or cancer, conflict or calamity. We are blindsided. [...]
Don’t Forget To Love
Good morning... "Many years ago I was a part of a church in which an upcoming vote would decide the church's future," writes Jan Johnson on page 153 in When the Soul Listens. "I asked God to show me the wiser choice, but no insight came. All I seemed to hear was 'Don't forget to love." "I replied, 'And?'" "I realized I wanted an answer I could explain eloquently so I could join one side [...]
Stay In Love Not In Charge
Good morning... As long as we are breathing, challenges arise. We hope for easy, smooth, uncomplicated. We get delays, mishaps, technical difficulties. We expect happy, simple, dreams in full bloom. We experience snags, disappointments, lost luggage moments. We pray for peace, healing, God's palpable presence. We feel loss, pain, "Where are You, God, now?" When life's unwanted happenings happen to us, how do we put into practice Richard Rohr's quote? "I would rather be 'in [...]
In The First Light
Good morning... As we ate our traditional egg-sausage-cheese casserole before opening gifts, my husband and I played for our sixteen and eighteen year olds our favorite Christmas song from 1998. Though some of the pictures are a bit hokey in this music video, God's-grand-plan put to music gives me tingles every time. Watch and be moved to a deeper understanding of God's redeeming plan lived through Jesus' eternal life. Jesus spoke to the people [...]