Good morning... Every morning, I try to discern a truth God is teaching. "...he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]?” says the Lord. Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks [...]
Good morning... Our friends plan fun, memorable birthday parties, so we were excited to be invited to their home to be taught by a sushi chef. Making our own sushi for dinner was a fascinating way to celebrate a fifty-something birthday season. Our handmade creations were imperfectly delicious. Roll by roll, bite by bite, laughter was sparked and our [...]
Good morning... If there were ever two scriptures designed to walk down the aisle together, these two would be the perfect pair. Marrying 1 John 4:8b, "God is love," with the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, we feel God's trustworthy character. Like a good math equation, if "God = love," we can replace the word "love" with the word [...]
Good morning... Though our eyes have never met, our souls are shaped similarly. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, she sent me a quote from Jacksonville, Florida. She could not have known that, just minutes before, the class in my living room had read aloud the following quote from our book for the semester. "It is relatively easy to meet [...]
Good morning... This morning I prayerfully crafted an email to my twenty-two year old son. Following his graduation from GA Tech in May, he feels called to be a missionary to college students in Australia for one year. Beginning this week, he will meet with friends and family members, inviting people onto his "support team." I sensed God laying [...]
Good morning... Monday was a dud of a day for me. It began with me feeling self-consciously down after a phone call that activated the critics in my head. It continued with news of another teen suicide, a sudden death of a beloved father, and an awareness that hard anniversaries for grieving friends are just around the corner. Then [...]
Good morning... Saturating my waking mind is a song we taught our church youth group twenty-five years ago. "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me." My soul (my life, my inner [...]
Monday was a dud of a day for me. It began with me feeling self-consciously down after a phone call that activated the critics in my head. It continued with news of another teen suicide, a sudden death of a beloved father, and an awareness that hard anniversaries for grieving friends are just around the corner. Then unrest in [...]
Good morning... In John 14:6, Jesus strikes a match and lights a flickering candle, "I am the way..." When pitch black descends, deep pain and dark loneliness, Jesus speaks light, "I am the way..." Through God, tucked in Christ, empowered by Spirit, we shuffle each day, step by step, with the way. Jesus spoke to the people once more [...]
Good morning... Some losses are excruciating. Life seems to be running smoothly. Hopes and dreams are gelling. We are savoring a sense of settled satisfaction. Then WHAM! Life falls apart. Near perfection unravels. The daily drive keeping us alive ends abruptly, unexpectedly. How do we rise up from bed the morning after? How do we rise up to face [...]
