This week, I found myself in the horse pasture, gathering apples. Our horses are blessed to have a couple of apple trees and one peach tree in their little pasture, and we are blessed that they don't eat them all. Apple picking was not high on my teenage children's list this beautiful September day. Wishing […]
A few years ago, I had a season when weakness seemed to stalk me. I felt unsuccessful and drained—spiritually, mentally, and physically. The project I was working on had demanded all my creative energy and left me raw. I had put myself "out there," fully exposed and vulnerable, and yet the work wasn't finished. In […]
We weave thick vines in and out of and around our circular, amateur base to create a decorative ball. Soon, solar lights will be added to make it a visible yard ornament for the dark fall and winter nights that stretch ahead of us. It seems to be an illustration of our friendship. By now, […]
Do you ever feel ashamed or disappointed that you have lacked faith or confidence in God…or even doubted Him? Our doubts, lack of trust, or weak faith may tempt us to think our faith isn’t strong enough. Let’s look at some scripture passages that might encourage us – even if our faith feels small today. […]
Not too long ago, I wrote a post about how my cat, Lovey, shows my family what abiding does and doesn't look like. Among Lovey's many desirable cat qualities, He enjoys taking walks in the woods with me and my dog, Shadow. It's difficult to make great progress when Lovey comes along for the walk. […]
Earlier this year, my family was punched in the emotional gut numerous times in a matter of weeks. Two officers were shot in my small hometown just twenty minutes away from where I now live. Tragically, one died and the other is still recovering. As a pastor and chaplain, my husband went on the scene […]
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." proverbs 18:21 I remember one of the most hopeless seasons in my life. I felt despair at the thought of living through another day of uncertainty and sadness. I couldn't imagine trying to put on a happy […]
I felt the tug of the strong, Outer Banks current on us and I knew we were in trouble. My daughter and I had been enjoying the rough surf with our new boogie boards on our first full day at the beach. I failed to notice the lone, yellow, caution flag hidden between our hotel […]
Have you ever heard this heart-wrenching story? Polish Priest, Maximilian Kolbe, was arrested by the Gestapo for hiding Jews and Polish refugees from the Nazis during World War II. During his time at Auschwitz concentration camp, ten men were rounded up to be starved to death in order to deter further escape attempts by the […]
Debris by Amy Jung, Mormon Row/Grand Tetons/Wyoming Weeding and yearning for it to be done for good this year, I pick what seems to be the last, living clematis in my front flower bed. It's a day that needs […]
Advent Joy isn’t shallow or sentimental—it is rooted in the appearing of Christ. When Scripture speaks of Christ being manifested, it means that God has made Himself clearly seen, known, and encountered in order to save. “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…” — Titus 2:11, ESV The Child in the manger is the […]
Where do you long for Christ’s Peace to enter your story this week? Or have you given up hope for that? Perhaps it would be good for you and me to remember Jesus' words about the kind of peace He gives. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the […]