Good morning... No one likes to hear "No, you can't." It is even harder for us when a "Yes, you can," turns into a "No, you can't." We feel tricked. We feel cheated. We feel angry at the change. Yet, sometimes new information comes on our radar and a "Yes" morphs into a "No." That's life. This "yes" to "no" morphing occurred in our family last weekend. For our teenage son, originally permission was [...]

Good morning... A good friend of mine missed the communion service on Tuesday night but received "God's Invitation into Friendship" in a profound and personal way. Last week, she shared with me over the phone that she has been diagnosed with cancer. We talked for over an hour, back and forth, back and forth, and I felt so privileged to be in her inner circle of friends sharing her heavy burden. Since that phone [...]

Good morning... One friend says, "I am constantly surprised by time." Time drags. Time evaporates. Time stands still. Time sneaks up. I too am constantly surprised by time. Last night was no exception. Many of us, one hundred and thirty-nine to be exact, nestled into Northside's intimate, sacred chapel to experience an amazing Women's Lenten Communion Service. Karen Riddell shared "God's Invitation into Friendship," a message that was both funny and down to earth, [...]

Good morning...On 2.12.16, I read this interesting headline on national news. "Teenager steals Air Jordans in Craigslist robbery and has his arm severed in horrific accident." Since I am co-teaching Christian Active Parenting, a parenting program in which we discuss supporting children with encouragement, clear communication, and the expression of honest emotions as they learn life lessons through natural consequences, my brain perked up, "Now, there is a harsh natural consequence for you. Steal shoes, [...]

Good morning... I began this tradition last year and got such a great response. Through Northside Church, we create a Summertime Devotional based on everyone's favorite blog posts throughout the year. Last year on Valentine's Day, I asked you to identify your favorite of my morning messages, and your response was phenomenal. So, I am asking for your help again. Some of you keep a file of your favorite morning messages and you can [...]

Good morning... "One of you is a neat freak, and the other doesn’t worry much about a few socks on the floor here and there," explains the article emailed to me by a friend. "One of you is a saver; one is a spender. One is always on time; the other is much more relaxed about the clock. One of you loves noise and energy and parties, and the other loves quiet time at [...]

Good morning... Two weeks from this morning, I would love you to be with me. Our church family is hosting a conference for the entire community. LOVE NO MATTER WHAT: A FAMILY CONFERENCE will be held at Northside Church from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on February 27th. Dr. Michael Popkin and I will give the keynote talks, before we enjoy a delicious catered meal, then each guest will choose two of the following [...]

Good morning... The Henri Nouwen meditation from 2.9.16 teaches us the tangible meaning of one eleven-letter word. Nouwen writes: "Consolation is a beautiful word. It means "to be" (con-) "with the lonely one" (solus). To offer consolation is one of the most important ways to care. Life is so full of pain, sadness, and loneliness that we often wonder what we can do to alleviate the immense suffering we see. We can and must [...]

Good morning... Many related to yesterday's post, "Assembly required." Do we not all have moments when we feel disjointed, disconnect, disassembled, pulled apart by life's pressures, life's deadlines, life's have-to-s and musts? I remember a quote from Sue Bender's book Plain and Simple, "Between all the givens, there is freedom." Parting like the Red Sea my normal givens, God focused me for a day on the freedom in between. I chiseled out six hours [...]

Good morning... I was woken by an weird image. Just like I did, you will probably crinkle up your nose and ask "What does this mean, God?" The image was fleeting. The image was anxiety provoking. The image was of a portable stadium seat (the padded kind used at sporting events) folded into pieces, disassembled, being held in a set of arms. As I un-crinkle my nose, I know what this image is about. [...]

Good morning... "I haven't had a chance to tell you that I passed along to my sister Betty Skinner's story captured in The Hidden Life (complete with my notes and highlights). She divorced this year after over 30 years of marriage. In a recent letter (on paper, with a stamp and everything!) she said, 'I feel like you have thrown me a life jacket.' This description gave me such peace, relief, sadness, and everything [...]

Good morning… There are people in life who touch our soul and leave a mark, an imprint, a lasting impression. Unique. Authentic. A life changing original. One such dynamic person has shaped my life profoundly from the tattered pages of a beloved book, The Hidden Life: Revelations from a Holy Journey. Betty Walthour Skinner, born this very day ninety years ago, shares freely God's living, breathing Spirit tucked inside her heart. Journeying though deep [...]