I wake at 3:43 a.m., thoughts swirling through my mind, and the emotions they bring flood in on their heels. A hundred failures and desires: to be more, do more, and have more. But how? My mind flits through an endless stream of possibilities, none guaranteeing an answer. Then I remember what the Lord says … Continue reading What Are You Seeking?
What kind of God do we serve? He is the God who spoke, and billions of stars burst forth, exploding light across the dark expanse and creating planets out of the swirling, chaotic matter. There are an estimated six trillion galaxies in the known universe, each containing hundreds of billions of stars, with at least … Continue reading What Kind of God?
The quiet of the soft summer evening surrounding our little group belied the emotions raging in the hearts of those present. Sitting across from each other in the patio chairs, the conversation started calmly. An ugly public argument needed to be addressed and clarified, or so I thought. But misconceptions and misunderstandings were rampant. Their … Continue reading Frankenstein or Jesus?
I recently celebrated another birthday. Growing up, my mother always celebrated our birthdays and made sure we had a cake and at least one present, even when times were lean, and our numbers grew. She also liked to be celebrated, right into her nineties. So, birthdays are a big deal in my family, and I … Continue reading Birth Days
What’s in a name? I was named Patricia Elizabeth. Patricia means of noble birth, and has its roots in Latin. Elizabeth is a biblical name meaning “my God is an oath.” * In the early days of our friendship, my friend and her husband were talking, and Rick was trying to remember my name. “You … Continue reading What’s In a Name?
Recently, there has been some disappointing and heartbreaking news about popular Christian leaders, singers, and writers who have admitted to not living rightly before the LORD. This is distressing to hear, but what has bothered me equally is what some other professed followers of Christ have written about them. We shouldn’t write, speak, or judge … Continue reading Handling Betrayal
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:2-3 How many years did I go about my life knowing and agreeing with this verse, but never experiencing it fully. Even in the few moments when I gained a glimpse, the realization that it was … Continue reading A Restored Life
“He was despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.” Isaiah 53:3 NIV The faint sound of an infant’s cries, intermingled with the bleating of sheep, draws you toward the opening where the flickering of lantern light emits. The air, pungent with the lingering scents of animal waste, dampness and … Continue reading Advent – Week 3
November. Leaves of red, lime-green, orange and burnished gold drop in blowing clusters outside my window. It is a visual feast for my eyes, but the underlying awareness that it is November dampens the pleasure and brings trepidation. Thanksgiving looms for my American friends and Christmas for us all. The word November brings the visual … Continue reading What Does Faithfulness Look Like?
I love puzzles. All kinds of puzzles. The challenge of figuring out the answer draws me like a lure on a fishing line. As cooler weather creeps in, I get excited about starting a new jigsaw puzzle. I have been doing them as long as I can remember. For some people, it causes anxiety, but … Continue reading Are You Puzzled by Chaos?