Don’t Spoil This Gift
Good morning... After waking from my second sleep yesterday, I felt nudged to rework the final sentences of our post, People Inspire People. "In our own language, we talk with God," I felt compelled to share. "Please quiet my own self-centered opinions and fluently speak Your compassion, Your unity, Your understanding through me. As people inspire people, the Spirit of God will continue to calm fears, end oppression, and peacefully teach humanity how [...]
People Inspire People
Good morning... Christmas is big. The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us (John 1:14a, GNT). Easter is huge. We believe that Jesus died and then came to life again (1 Thessalonians 4:14a, NLV). Pentecost is powerful. And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving [...]
Summer Zoom Study 2024
Good morning... As our spring semester draws to an end at Northside Church, all of our Bible studies for women channel into one Zoom study for the summer. Here are this year's details. ***** Summer Reading Group 2024 A Longing to Belong: Reflections on Faith, Identity, and Race by Michelle Lee-Barnewall A blend of memoir and theological reflection, Michelle Lee-Barnewall shares her unique Korean-American story and the search for identity that followed. Understanding [...]
Calm Our Busy Thoughts
Good morning... "I thought of you when I received this today." On early Saturday morning, a faraway friend emailed me the colorful Bible verse above. She said, "Reminds me a little bit of your post today, Be Guided By Grace." In the VOICE translation, Ephesians 4:2 sounds like this. Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love. By 9:00 am that morning, I was enjoying the [...]
Be Guided By Grace
Good morning... "He says it best!" wrote one dear friend from our church family. "This United Methodist minister from Arkansas has stated it best. The interior of the church as seen at the end of his statement looks exactly like our sanctuary at Northside United Methodist Church." This minister passionately shares his prayerful perspective. In highlighting his thoughts, my friend touches on her own prayerful perspective. In my own prayerful perspective, I think [...]
Choices In Our Church
Good morning... I made this card of encouragement yesterday with two tiny feathers I found on my walk. When God's timing is right - beautiful old things fall off to make space for the new growth of God. "Watch closely: I am preparing something new..." says God. I made this card to help me process the choices our church family is facing. Inside, one of my favorite Scripture verses is expanded. [...]
What Is That Smell?
Good morning... I turn on the lamplight in the middle of this hard night and all I can smell is gardenias. I happened by a friend's home yesterday in need of a hug and an honest talk about the pain plaguing so many we love. Relentless ravages of cancer. Upheaval in trusted institutions. Some passionate friends feel angry and betrayed, others feel supported and hopeful. Amid all the tumult, we stood in her [...]
Steve’s Final Message
Good morning... Several of you have asked for a copy the final chapel message given by my husband Steve as he leaves the role of head chaplain at The Lovett School after twenty-nine years. I share it with you now, an encouraging message for all of us, whatever our life stage, wherever we wake. Controversy is an unavoidable part of life. How, my friends, might we respond? ******* Final All School Closing Chapel [...]
If You Give A Kid A Cookie
Good morning... As the rains set in yesterday morning, our afternoon plans needed to change. As regular weekly volunteers, we brainstormed indoor activities for our final Monday gathering at PAWkids. Beading. Board games. Musical chairs. Freeze dance. Then came the Program Director's request. "Cookie decorating, maybe?" My happy heart lit up. Since I have a mom who loved making homemade cookies with us, I became a mom who loved making homemade cookies with [...]
Processing Elizabeth’s Pain
Good morning... During our final Wordless Prayer Card making session on the third Wednesday in April, one woman made a card for Elizabeth, the 38-year-old wife and mom of three who is facing the spread of her advanced colon cancer. Elizabeth is the daughter-in-law of our dear friend, Joan, who is a loyal member of our Friday morning class. "This butterfly is emerging from the darkness into a new form of life," said [...]
Thanking My Mother
Good morning... I picked out the perfect Mother's Day card, wrote my loving thanks in my own handwriting, and stuck it in the mail earlier this week. As my mom opens the card and feels the love of our family, I hope she will listen closely to the lyrics of the music video below, A Mother Like You by JJ Heller. [Verse 1] You gave me a drawer in your kitchen You gave [...]
Steve’s Final Chapel
Good morning... Today is a day to celebrate the bittersweetness of life. In the morning, I will experience with entire The Lovett School community the final chapel led by my husband, Steve. After 29 years as chaplain, Steve will deliver his final sermon to the kids (kindergarten through 12th grade), the faculty, and the parents in attendance. He will remain on Lovett's chaplain team full time as Chaplain Emeritus, providing pastoral care for [...]