Disappointment with God: A Lenten Lament
I didn’t expect to usher in Lent feeling angry at God, but that’s how it went down. On Shrove Tuesday, my fervent prayers for a dear friend that I love and walk beside went unanswered. [...]
Be encouraged
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing--The Apostle Paul, in his letter to believers. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) My mother and I, in a flash of ambition, sort through [...]
Do not be afraid…
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.” ---Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words: Daily Readings in the ABC's of Faith In the Bible, the command repeated most frequently is “Fear not.” [...]
Fragile foster kids find a home
Where do the kids who no one wants go? How do foster kids who are "difficult to place" because of their medical challenges find a home? Sometimes, the story of a family captures your imagination [...]
A monastic approach to motherhood
I’m excited to welcome Micha Boyett, author of Found: A Story of Questions, Grace and Everyday Prayer, to the blog today and tomorrow for a little interview. First, my short review of Found: Being a [...]
Is work a gift, or a curse?
I'm blogging at The High Calling channel on Pathoes.com today about work, what gives it meaning, significance and joy. Too many Christians buy into a subtle but critical theological mistake: that their work, if they [...]
The empty table (and some thoughts on filling it)
As a treat to myself on a fall afternoon, I pull out my trusty Le Creuset dutch oven. At 3 in the afternoon, I chop onions, garlic, rosemary, and parsnips; brown beef ribs marbled with [...]
Empty nest? Not so great.
So I have been an “empty nester” for exactly one week. So far, it totally sucks. I do not like it one bit. I am irritable and difficult--I admit this. Something feels off balance, and [...]
Bring it! (or, How to figure out your true priorities)
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that [...]
Four questions to facilitate spiritual formation in small groups
Life change happens in small groups. If we ask ourselves and our groups the right questions, we can create environments for transformation. If you lead a small group, one of your goals might be to [...]