The LORD bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 I never thought about this blessing being for me. The thought of God smiling at Read more
It was a land barren, desolate, nearly without life…needing comfort. Many places that could be described as desolate are at least beautiful, colorful, or interesting. This was a waste-land: flat, sparse, featureless, dry, dull-looking. This was a place we just wanted to get through as we traveled over 4500 miles Read more
Grief. That word often conjures a picture of a woman in tears over the dead body of a loved one… or the hollow-eyed, soot-stained face of a child bereft and alone in a bombed-out house. God promises to bless with comfort those who mourn. Jesus’ words on the mountain where Read more
Grief is funny stuff…not funny-humorous, but funny-quirky, unexpected, unlooked for. This morning I noticed my mother’s ring on the window sill in the kitchen. It rests on the neck of a little, clear-glass bird (a gift from my late sister-in-law) made for just such a purpose. My mother’s knuckles were 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
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before You… my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. Let the morning bring Read more
Do the works you did at first. –Revelation 3:5b What does that mean? How are those different from what I am doing not? How do I define “first love?” First in importance or in order? Both, probably. First in importance was the love I had for Jesus after my encounter Read more
There is much sadness in our lives: disease and decay in our bodies; deaths of dear ones; divorce and distress in marriages, international war and interpersonal conflict; rebellion against God that brings disaster, both personal and global. It is no wonder that the most abundant type of Psalm is a Read more
“Sometimes fault lines can only be identified and mapped after an earthquake.” —40 Days of Decrease, Alicia Britt Chole That’s why failure is such an important thing to not be protected from. (She says from her ivory tower…) We often ask God to bless our event, activity, or adventure, expecting Read more
