I had planned to write a follow up blog post on the Beatitudes several weeks (ahem…months?) ago, but I am barely keeping my head above water with work, family and ministry responsibilities. While I don’t enjoy missing my personal goals, I rest secure in the knowledge that I am not the one in control, andContinue reading “Inspiration From the Beatitudes”
Category Archives: faith
Always and Forever
Have you ever thought how odd the word heartbreak is? Merriam-Webster defines a heartbreak as “crushing grief, anguish or distress.” When a beloved family member passes, we experience heartbreak. A friend’s girl friend gets engaged to another man, and we might describe him as broken-hearted (or perhaps we see opportunity? More on that later…). Most people will fully understand whatContinue reading “Always and Forever”
A Study in The Beatitudes, Part I
It feels a little trite to write a year in review at the beginning of 2021. As we all look ahead to the new year, many of us are spending some time this week reflecting on what happened last year and how we would like our lives or ourselves to change for the better. ResolutionsContinue reading “A Study in The Beatitudes, Part I”
Christmas During the Year of the Pause
Over the past week, I have been mulling over my next blog post. It’s been some time since I blogged because quite frankly, my life has been on fast forward since early October. But, no more excuses. I made the commitment some time ago to launch this blog, and I now seek to push throughContinue reading “Christmas During the Year of the Pause”
Countercultural Patience
When I come across a thought I have read which intrigues me or offers a fresh perspective, I will mull it over throughout the day, discuss it with others, even seek to apply it. “Countercultural patience” is just that kind of thought. It is a term I came across when reading through a blog fromContinue reading “Countercultural Patience”
Finding Rest
Someone asked me a few months ago how I was doing in this pandemic. I said I was doing well. I didn’t even qualify it with an “all things considered…” I had been on break from school for a few weeks in the summer, and the weather had been good. I’d started having outdoor socialContinue reading “Finding Rest”
One Brick at a Time
Have you ever hit a wall? I mean figuratively, not literally. I’m not talking about the kind of wall that other people put up either. The kind I mean is the wall we put up inside of ourselves, around those most vulnerable places, to keep others from seeing whatever it is we don’t want themContinue reading “One Brick at a Time”
A Mother’s Heart
Now I lay me down to sleep, the Lord I pray my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. I remember concluding the prayers by asking God to bless my mom, my dad, my brothers, and even the smelly old cat that my brothers hatedContinue reading “A Mother’s Heart”
Too Close for Comfort?
I have had arguments with two good friends recently, and it has me wondering. Over the years, both have shown me a tremendous amount of patience. They each have given me multiple free passes when I mess up. And yet, I still sometimes try to get an emotional response from them when I’m tired orContinue reading “Too Close for Comfort?”
An Abundance of Emotion
Several years ago, in a small group setting, the group was asked to name something we had experienced since we had encountered Jesus. My immediate response was “peace.” I was slightly taken aback by the group leader’s follow-up question, “What if God took your peace away, would you still love Him?” The answer was, andContinue reading “An Abundance of Emotion”
in heartbreak and in hope 