God designed and planted the first garden to meet the needs and satisfy the desires of His image-bearers. In it was every tree that was beautiful and fruitful. The gardener in me sighs longingly at this phrase. To grow artichokes for the beauty of them does not deny me a Read more
One very everyday thing is the news. The headlines are alarming. The trends are disheartening. The need for prayer is great, the list long. It can be overwhelming, and anxiety-producing. Jesus says not to fear nor be anxious, but to take heart and never stop praying. Good luck with that…I Read more
Ah, the days of yore… well maybe not that far back! Actually, I was just thinking of the days of my youth…you know, last week? Joking aside, I came across a section in my daily reading that was an anchor for my heart in my young years. In fact, it Read more
She was old, though not as old as she seemed. The years of stress and cigarettes had stripped her of beauty. Macular degeneration had robber her of most of her sight, small strokes were diminishing her ability to remember, and what she did “remember” became suspect, and cancer was already Read more
If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and Read more
It started at 6:19am. A text message arrived, “I need prayer.” I was taking advantage of the opportunity for a little more sleep, actually having a weird dream, so I was glad for the “interruption.” A friend with troubling health conditions was having a rough time prepping for a test, Read more
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! Read more
(A shared journal entry) O Papa-God, so many things and people to pray for! The girls in my small group – those who come and those who don’t. My failures in following up with those girls. The young men I disciple to lead worship. My failure to contact a potential Read more
We are celebrating the coming of the Christ Child as Emmanuel, the With-Us God. Since the week before Christmas, I have been encouraging visitors to our home to acknowledge what they need, what their hearts need, and offer it to Jesus, taking in exchange a star with a specific promise Read more
