Learn From The Sun
Good morning... Doodling artist Grant Snider, creator of Incidental Comics and picture books, describes himself as a "keeper of sketchbooks, loser of pens." I absolutely love his uniquely creative work. For me, this series of comic book images entitled "Morning Light," these images beg an essential question. "The morning sun doesn't care what is warmed by her radiant light. Why do we, humans, try to pick and to choose who deserves the endless [...]
Audrey’s Life In Film
Good morning... We all love Northside Church member and Notre Dame freshman Audrey DeShetler. Praying diligently beside her, as she courageously journeys with cancer, we are blessed with a front row seat. I discovered a short film this week, and the single piece of paper descending from above reminds me of the vibrant life of our dear friend Audrey. You can see in the dark, for it is not dark to Your eyes. For [...]
Don’t You Get Drained?
Good morning... "Mom, don't you get drained with so many hurting people depending on you?" asked our daughter Tessa, as she saw me texting and talking with a handful of people going through some really hard things. "No, actually, it is a great privilege to walk closely with people through the challenges of life," I heard myself say. "It energizes me and energizes them to have honest, intimate conversations in the midst of [...]
Tessa’s 1st Marathon
Good morning... On Sunday, our 28 year old daughter, Tessa, ran her first marathon in Houston. What an exciting weekend! Our whole family stayed connected by texts, and the photos and text string are priceless. Tessa's alarm went off at 4:30 am, and by 5:45 am we left the hotel in windy, 31 degree weather. Tessa walked to the blustery start line, while Steve and I walked four chilly miles to get our [...]
Peace Is A Patchwork
Good morning... Peace is a patchwork. Each and every day, we are designed to creatively fill in our part. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesus both agree. "I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality," says King. "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have [...]
We Are Good Enough
Good morning... Up in the middle of the night, I research Kate Bowler's new book, Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection. Let's unpack three of the book quotes I love most. “Blessed am I when I strip away all the extra. When I see the world as it really is—broken, tender, fragile, beautiful. These are the same eyes that see God in everything too.” We live lives of imperfection. Being [...]
When Less Is More
Good morning... Each new year, I sit still and ask, "God, what word might guide my living this year?" As I sat and I wondered, an answer dawned. I was surprised by the word less. Less worry. Less hurry. Less striving. Less criticism. "Huh," I thought. "Sometimes less is truly more." Then I got in the car and I drove to our therapeutic community group. Our [...]
Inspired By Mary Lynne
Good morning... In the middle of this big moon night, I spend time with the beautiful bulletin from the celebration of life service for Mary Lynne Hamilton. I am inspired by her smiling face, her joyful essence, and her passion for the truth of God. I think I love this sentence most: "Mary Lynne is more alive now than she has ever been, and for this we give thanks even in our brokenheartedness." [...]
The Secret Of Hope
Good morning... As we hosted a prayer vigil for Audrey DeShelter on Sunday and we gathered to celebrate the unique life of Mary Lynne Hamilton on Monday, one thing that repeated itself again and again was the word hope. Between the two powerful experiences of Christian community, a friend tucked into my day a little poem. When we are anxious or lonely or scared, might we [...]
Light On Our Wall
Good morning... Yesterday upon waking, I stepped out of our bedroom door to find God's creative light decorating our wall. To a few who are processing loss, I sent this photo with a text: "I wake this morning with God's light on our wall. Thinking of each of you and your family on this first anniversary of Scott's passing, as we prepare for Mary Lynne's service tomorrow. May resurrection power somehow break into [...]
Update On Audrey
Good morning... It is rare for me to create a blog post on Sunday, normally my day of rest from writing. Yet the update I need to share with you today is both sacred and time sensitive. Urgent prayers are needed on behalf of Audrey DeShelter, our dear nineteen year old friend who has journeyed with cancer since she was five. As a church family and as a caring group of friends, we [...]
From All That Is Broken
Good morning... I was thinking about all of those who have lost loved ones this holiday season. Husbands. Wives. Sons. Daughters. Siblings. Parents. Friends. One person told me, "It feels like whiplash. I was expecting a joyful Christmas, and we had a funeral instead." Then I opened an email that supported my prayerful pondering. "I came across this blessing in Jan Richardson’s, Sanctuary of Women," wrote a longtime member of our Northside Church [...]