Thanksgiving (not the holiday) restores my perspective, makes me aware of hope, centers me. The last ten days has included the white-knuckle exhilaration of the switchbacks of the Beartooth Highway, the breathless awe of the view over the windy, wildflower-laden tundra above the tree line, the sad finality of the Read more…
I heard Jesus inviting me to come away one Saturday morning not long ago, or I would have remained in bed despite the urging of my alarm. (Exhaustion seems to be the theme of my life lately.) Yet there I was. I was not alone. I had anxiety, fear, burdens, Read more…
I was listening to a CD by Graham Cooke on rest. He pointed out that the first thing God and newly-made Adam did together was to rest. I need to learn that from God…how to rest. I would have loved to see Adam and God resting together: God showing him Read more…
Jesus says He never did anything without His Father. “I only speak what I hear the Father saying.” “I only do what I see the Father doing.” “I can do nothing apart from my Father.” If any other human said that, psychology would say he’s got co-dependence issues and needs Read more…
For the last week-and-a-half, I have had the joyous, challenging, and exhausting privilege of leading a group of nearly 30 teens and adults to prepare for and present a series of short continuing-story dramas for a week-long children’s event. (That is why there was no post last week.) This is Read more…
Sitting on the back porch, enjoying the unseasonably cool weather . . . trying to find peace. There are more things on my “to do” list than I can possibly get done! Guests coming to sleep in a guest room with no flooring and missing woodwork . . . a Read more…
My dining room table is still clothed in its Easter finery and centered with a clear glass bucket full of bright plastic eggs loaded with fruit-flavored jelly beans or Dove caramel-filled dark chocolates. As I collect the strays that escaped the basket-bearing hunters, I find myself wondering whether I have Read more…
So…what if the way I have approached repentance is upside down? What if being transformed into the likeness of Jesus is not about me listing all my sins, grieving deeply enough over them, coming up with a strategy to distance myself from them and all the situations that provide temptation? Read more…
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well. — Matthew 6:33 So…about those leaf-hoppers… My current theory (or insight) is that the tiny, sap-sucking things are very like the “secret” critic that often infests the places that Jesus means me to live Read more…
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well. -Matthew 6:33 My commitment is to follow Jesus every day in the everyday…So, how shall I think about Jesus as the King over my food choices? Does it matter? Why would He care? Should Read more…