Today, I’m writing in a state of mind one might describe as overwrought, and all because I feel so many things changing around me now–the most significant change of the day having to do with my doctor. People who know me well know that I return to the hospital several times a year for blood-work; […]
“Lost” (and Found)
Within the past couple of days, I returned from vacation with quite a few stories to tell; and I shall now share the one story which I feel is the most remarkable. One night last week, we had the opportunity to allow our daughter an experience she’d never had before–fireworks right on the beach. We […]
A Tomb Trade
Today, as we continued on in the book of Mark, I was given a new thought/image about the demon-possessed man living among the tombs–the man whom Jesus healed. The pastor said that Jesus traded places with the demoniac. Wow. Though it seems obvious now, it had never occurred to me this way before today. Yes, […]
A Good Hearer (and the third heart)
Sunday, I found myself in a brand new place where I heard teaching that brought me “down” in just the way I so desperately needed to go. You see, I haven’t been a great hearer lately and I’ve had a heavy heart, which I believe was caused by my allowing myself to become a person […]
The “Down” Principle
Something seemingly inevitable finally happened this week–I experienced hacking. My blog, starting around 4:00 am Monday, went down and did not come up again until around lunchtime today. And, if I’m honest about it, I’ve never found myself wanting to post more than I did when the blog was down; in fact, I feel as […]
A “Basket Case” of Grace
Lately, I’ve become relentless regarding the letting go of my physical possessions. For two weeks in a row now, I’ve packed my vehicle with as many items as I could and then headed to a community thrift store at a church not too far away from my home. If something’s not currently being used and […]
The Compassionate Connector
Recently, I read a Bonhoeffer quote in which he pointed out the fact that Jesus did not try to convert the two thieves crucified on either side of him–Jesus waited for the thieves to turn to him (and one did). This observation has prompted me to consider how much of my own thinking in regard […]
Surprised by Joy!
Most of my life I’ve heard others say we should be careful what we pray for down here– and today I see why. As per my blog post just yesterday, I recently began to pray for the fruit of joy to be cultivated in my life much more. And this morning my husband gave me the very […]
Five (and “Grace”)
As strange as it may sound, I’ve been five years old three times in my life…..chronologically, spiritually, and medically. And yesterday was my fifth “medical birthday.” On April 28, 2011, I had a bone marrow/stem cell transplant as part of my treatment plan for the blood cancer multiple myeloma. And somehow, all at the very […]
A “Higher” Education
This week I had the privilege of speaking again in my hometown–this time at a place that tops my list of most favorite places down here; I spoke at a college. I love institutions of higher education, and I think I always have. I find there a sort of special energy for the present moment […]