Sometimes the Lord closes the door on something - a good thing, perhaps a beautiful thing, maybe a thing we loved very much or held very dear - and He opens the door to another something . . . something far more than we could have conjured up and surprisingly more than we could have … Continue reading learning to live linearly, learning to trust
seasons of sowing
barrenness brings clarity
The time "springs forward", the Sunday of spring break for our school kids, and one of our children has the job of feeding some neighbor friends' dogs. We live close enough for this child to walk to their house, but since we are all slower to get out of bed this particular morning, I drive … Continue reading barrenness brings clarity
the God of impossible things
You are the God of impossible things. In a desert dry, devoid of streams, You cause water to flow, and rocks burst forth springs. Among thorns, twisted vines that choke and deceive, You transform with Truth to ivy vines green. The handful of sour scuppernongs handed to me, You recreate to sun-warmed and ripened blueberries. … Continue reading the God of impossible things
be healed, right where you are
"Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 'Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show … Continue reading be healed, right where you are
sinking to rescue
When life takes a turn, when life as you know it HALTS - leaving your head spinning, your heart swirling, your soul sinking . . . God is there, holding you. Seeing you, steadying you, saving you. He is closer than your heartbeat, working a marvelous miracle. You begin to see, too. What started you … Continue reading sinking to rescue
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
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
sing
The low-grade ache in the pit of the stomach of feeling peripheral would never go away . . . but neither would He. God would never leave me, and He would use the soft hum of the subtle pain to cause me to run to Him . . . to hide in Him, to nestle … Continue reading sing
the best thing for your kids
It was November of 1995. I was sitting in a lunchroom filled with loud and hungry sixth-graders on my first day at a new school. "Ok, folks! It's quiet time!" Coach Perkins' voice boomed across the cafeteria, commanding obedience . . . or else there was a punishment of written multiplication tables in sets of … Continue reading the best thing for your kids
an open journal 