The tilling of heart-soil is hard and slow. God initiates this work to mercifully sow seeds of His Spirit, that fruit will grow unto His righteousness, His glory to show. His working draws roots down deep below to hold us steady when piercing winds blow, to keep us flourishing when afflicting tears flow. All the … Continue reading grateful ground
an invitation
On this last day of the year, before the calendar page turns, I receive an invitation from God : To be still. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10, NKJV). To stop striving. "Stop striving and know that … Continue reading an invitation
ever-awakening wonder of the Gift
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 The King of the cosmos entered humanity in the most humble form, born as a baby, vulnerable and hidden in the shadows of a city that had no room for … Continue reading ever-awakening wonder of the Gift
JOY
David Kizziah - my husband of almost two decades, and my pastor of about the same amount of time - shared a quote in a sermon once that has run through my mind at least a thousand times since : "When our joy is in Christ, it is in a realm untouchable by criticism and … Continue reading JOY
awake, arise!
Awake and see. Arise and sing. "The Bright and Morning Star" (Rev. 22:16) has come to bring The Peace we long for; the Rule we need; The Light for our shadows; the Answer to our plea For Help and Hope and Holy Reprieve. Awake from sin's lulling and dark slumbering. Arise to bright wonder, the … Continue reading awake, arise!
sufficient. abundant.
Day by day You prove faithful And set a sufficient table. Whatever we need, You will be, And Your Word is our lifeline to breathe. Through foggy questions and heavy haze, You keep lovingly lifting our gaze Upward that we may somehow see Your perspective, giving light and setting us free from fear of trial … Continue reading sufficient. abundant.
when things break
How does one move forward when things break? The plate sat high upon a surface in our kitchen. Precarious, yes, though I did not consider it dangerous . . . until it fell. The height and the impact of the fall caused the plate to break, and thankfully it did not break any member of … Continue reading when things break
permission
You have given me permission to not worry about anything (Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:6), but instead to seek first Your Kingdom, and You will take care of "all these things" (Matthew 6:33). You have told me the first and most important commandment : to love You with all that I am and to love my … Continue reading permission
the small things
As I tie on the apron, a weighty rush comes over me, as if I am suiting up armor. We have to fight to feast on the Bread. Bread making has become a recent part of my life, a symbolic practice and picture of what the past two years have been for me . . … Continue reading the small things
Father knows best
To not be needed there … because You knew I needed You here. Far more than I could have ever given - to a person, to a ministry, to a church - You pulled me away in order to receive You. You repositioned me in order to ground my feet and to stabilize my racing heart. … Continue reading Father knows best
an open journal 