Good morning... As we peer through our window into the day at hand, do we see the slow, small things quietly taking God's time? Snails. Erosion. Transformation. Organic growth. Healing whole. Blossoming relationships. Living in peace. The dying process. Becoming like Christ. Learning to listen well to God. In a world that values faster, bigger, louder, so much [...]
Good morning... She introduced me to Porcelain War, the 2024 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner for a U.S. documentary. Curious, I research more about the film to discover this summary. "Amidst the chaos and destruction of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine, three artists defiantly find inspiration and beauty as they defend their culture and their country. In [...]
Good morning... "Hi, Sue," he wrote this week. "I hope all is well with you and your family." "I also hope everyone will take a moment on Monday to reflect on the Americans who died in the service of their country," he continued. "Memorial Day is a wonderful time to get together with family and friends; but more [...]
Good morning... "I'm not doing very well," my friend greeted me as I walked in the door. "I'm so overwhelmed." "Then, this is a perfect time for a visit," I responded with a Holy Spirit nudge. We talked and we ate and we unpacked all our worries. As we honestly shared our burdens, we each felt a little [...]
Good morning... One morning this week, I noticed a chubby bird sitting a yard away from our kitchen window. How did she get there, out on this precarious ledge? I went over to enjoy a photo shoot with this big fluffy baby, and I called my husband over to observe the cute creature with me. Unfazed by us, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
