The Weight Of The World
Good morning... "How many of us find ourselves taking the weight of the world on our shoulders?" Last Sunday afternoon, we read aloud this paragraph from page 198 in our small group study of The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian D. McLaren. "We need to solve climate change. We need to stop nuclear war. We need to end racial and religious bigotry. Before long, we collapse under the weight. We become embittered and [...]
As Trust In God Grows
Good morning... "Remember our definition of joy," Kay Warren writes on page 124 in Choose Joy. "Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things." "Do you see how trust and joy are related?" she asks. "When trust in God grows, joy has [...]
Keep Marching On
Good morning... This election day morn, enjoy Tony-winning Alex Newell and inspirational voices from Broadway as they perform Allen René Louis’ powerful new arrangement of “Keep Marching” from the musical "Suffs". The descriptor below the energizing music video explains the uplifting gift. "Joy To The Polls (JTTP) is a nonpartisan voting initiative that uses music and art to build the kind of world we hope to inhabit; one in which each person’s right [...]
Our Eternal Perspective
Good morning... As we rest in the sun on this unique day, there are zillions of things going on around and inside us. To experience an intimate and expansive view of God's eternal perspective, enjoy this fascinating video entitled Cosmic Eye. "Cosmic Eye is a short 2012/2018 film and iOS app, developed by astrophysicist Danail Obreschkow," explains Wikipedia. "It shows the largest and smallest well known scales of the universe by gradually zooming [...]
What Can I Control?
Good morning... During our therapeutic community group on Tuesday morning, we discussed things that are "out of my control" and things that are "in my control. "Out of my control" are these important facets of life. How healing happens. The scars of my past. What God thinks of me. Other's opinions. Results of my obedience. If others want healing. How you were made. When seasons come and go. How long I have to [...]
Three Things Today
Good morning... This Halloween morning 2024, I notice three things. An ending. A beginning. And the culmination of a fun season. First, today is the ending to the registration period for our "Finding Peace of Mind Through Brain Science & Spiritual Practices: A Faith-Based Symposium" being hosted at The Carter Center on November 15th. Remember? My dear friend Dr. Cathy Snapp is one of the keynote speakers, and we anticipate an incredible day. [...]
Audrey’s Rekindling Hope
Good morning... "Scanning now." Last Wednesday at 9:22 am, our Fab Five friends received this photo and this two-word text from Jennifer, Audrey's mom. (You may remember that Audrey, a beloved Northside Church member, is a freshman at Notre Dame who has been journeying with neuroblastoma since she was five and a half years old.) We all lifted fervent prayers throughout the day, trusting last week's wisdom shared by Micheal Leach. "We are [...]
Harmony Of Resilience
Good morning... Feeling drawn to expand the words, I reworked the final paragraph of yesterday's blog post. "Enveloped in the symphony of the Spirit – before, during, and after this election – we surrender into the expansive grace of God," I wrote. "As we continue to gaze at him in trust, we become a part of the art of God’s endlessly evolving love." Soon after I finished editing, I received a text from [...]
Gaze At Him In Trust
Good morning... On this day when three of our four kids will vote early with my husband and me over lunchtime, I prepare my heart by savoring this powerful music video. With my whole self kneeling before the God of creation, I will cast my personal ballot of votes. Collectively, I trust the God of salvation to guide us toward compassion, collaboration, and creative community. "God longs for us to gaze at him [...]
How To Find Balance
Good morning... "I love a blog called the Marginalian," a friend wrote me this week. "Here's an excerpt of poetry for today to share." So few grains of happiness measured against all the dark and still the scales balance. There is so much darkness in this wounding world. How easily we can get swept up in the fear, the rage, the wars. So, my [...]
How To Watch The News
Good morning... Another beautiful gift coming from Ignatius House Retreat Center this week is the following story about compassion, kindness, and the face of Christ in the checkout line. What a wonderful reminder as we wake on day 25 of the KIND30 movement! ****** The Face of Christ in the Checkout Line by Michael Leach When I was in my 20s I glimpsed the truth that we all wear the face of Christ [...]
Tiny, Mighty Seeds
Good morning... Early every morning, God drops new seeds of thought into the rich soil of my innermost being. Yesterday, I received the weekly email from the Ignatius House Retreat Center. It was entitled "Seeds of Hope." "Remind yourself that you are in God’s presence," began the encouraging words. "I ask God for the grace to surrender to the strength of the Lord, and to receive the gift of hope as I wait [...]