Campfire Confessions
Good morning... After yesterday's post, she texted another one of her favorite quotes from our summertime read, The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen. Silence is the discipline by which the inner fire of God is tended and kept alive. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother...and your mother...and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you [...]
Might We Befriend Silence?
Good morning... "We are on the same wavelength!" she texted. "Sue, I ordered the Henri Nouwen book you will be studying and read it in one day! Shared it with my women's group this morning and also with a dear friend who is grieving the loss of her father." "I've always believed that true discipleship is listening," she continued. "Now I'm learning it's not just in the time spent with others, but also [...]
Age With Joy
Good morning... My parents' performance of "Guys and Dolls" at their senior living community near Cleveland, Ohio was priceless, just priceless. The joy filling the room was palpable as I soaked in the experience with my sister and her family. As our mom waved and high-fived us exited the stage and our dad enjoyed playing the lead male role, [...]
Look At My Parents!
Good morning... Yesterday, I flew to Cleveland, Ohio to watch my parents perform "Guys and Dolls" with sixty friends from their senior living community. The place is abuzz! At ages 85 and 86, they fit right in with the cast and the chorus members who range from age 72 to 96. Having practiced twice a week for months and months, tonight's ninety minute show is one of seven sold-out performances this weekend and [...]
Our Own Thoughts Interfere
Good morning... In the middle of our ordinary days, the three of us text or email regularly. Two from Atlanta, Georgia; one from Jacksonville, Florida. Yesterday a devotional page was generously shared with important insights. All three of us could totally relate. Too often we let our own thoughts interfere with God's intimate invitation, to listen to the quiet, still voice and know that God is God. Our daily dilemma reminds me of [...]
She Called Me Rude
Good morning... After I asked a clarifying question, she said I was being rude. "Rude" was not my intention, but her strong reaction gave me pause. She felt judged by my inquiry. Thinking about it later, I felt convicted. I had brought up her past mistake and opened an old wound. To her that felt like judgement. I began to see from her perspective. So up in the middle of the night, I [...]
Living From Now Into Next
Good morning... As the passage of time naturally expands, we end one month before the next begins. Today is May. Tomorrow will be June. Like being caught in the invisible power of gravity, we can't escape the ticking away of time. Spring naturally tips into summer, that's just life's way. We can't go back. We can't stay here. We simply live from now into next. From now into next, we live our way [...]
Our Summer Zoom Study Is Here
Good morning... When I was growing up, summer was a unique season to savor. Back then, summer always started after Memorial Day weekend, and we didn't returned to school until after Labor Day weekend. School schedules have certainly changed, haven't they? With an early August start for many schools, the months of June and July now condense the seeds of summer. For June and July, all of our book studies hosted through our [...]
Beautiful Souls Have Passed
Good morning... This Memorial Day weekend, I snapped a luminous photo of the sun setting in the quiet woods. Emanating. Permeating. Radiating free. Today we remember so many beautiful souls who have passed on to forever while protecting our country and the freedoms we hold dear. Mysteriously, generation after generation, their presence with us continues to emanate, permeate, radiate free. Jesus' words shine on as a beacon of hope. There is no greater [...]
Remember Resurrection Power
Good morning... This Memorial Day weekend, might we take a few sacred moments to remember those who have fallen into resurrection power on the battlefields of life? ...Sue... Note To Sue Past Posts Donate Home
Reflecting On This School Year
Good morning... As I reflect upon this school year, I am amazed at the growth God has orchestrated at PAWkids in the Grove Park neighborhood of our city. People connected to our Women's Ministry at Northside Church facilitated fun arts and crafts activities in the after school program for two hours every week. Excited kids tapped into their unique strengths and freely expressed their creativity. [...]
We Transform Or Transmit Our Pain
Good morning... Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind (Romans 12:2a, VOICE). As a friend shared with us an intriguing Richard Rohr quote, I separated the sentences into stand alone truths, truths in which we now steep ourselves. "If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it—usually to those closest to us: our [...]