What is this thing I keep thinking about? I’m waking up and there is a knot in my stomach. Something has happened to someone I love. Yes, I pray. I’m moving slower and more thoughtfully. I’m distracted. I’m trying not to cry or yell. This feeling is unfamiliar. I’m usually following marching orders…left, right, left,…

I did read Henri J.M. Noun’s book ‘The Return of The Prodigal Son’. There are so many lessons in there. The account from Jesus always connects to my heart. Having looked at it many times, one day a light bulb came on. The father did not pursue his wayward son. The prodigal lived with his…

I recently had oral surgery. Three times a day I take pills and rinse with two solutions. I want the pain to subside and I want recovery so I can eat again. I am eating – but squishy things – argh. I made a schedule and listed every step. In a couple of weeks I…

Talk about acceptance. As a mature woman I attended a water park for the day with family. Mostly I watched my grandkids but also put on a swimsuit then later added one of those sun-proof long-sleeved water shirts. People do odd things at water parks and barriers are minimized. For whatever reason, I found myself…

Beware of congratulations. In my junk-mail box I get dozens of those messages and always with a hook. Congratulations – apply for…, congratulations – you have won a subscription that will only cost…, congratulations – you are a sucker…, and on it goes. These are not really compliments and I have finally learned to read…

I was listening to the radio in my car and heard the following tuck-in advice. At the end of the day, this father reminds his children of two things: remember that I love you no matter how disobedient you were today and I love you the same no matter how many awesome and good things…

In Genesis 32 Jacob names the place where he wrestled with God for answers. Peniel means face of God. Today is one of those struggle days. I’m looking at some notes from Pastor Craig Cabaniss, in Frisco Texas, on Psalm 13, one of the Psalms of Lament. To lament is to experience deep grief and…

I flew somewhere and was under the clouds, as usual, then, suddenly, over the clouds. I thought of Jesus. The clouds below me looked like a fast-moving, giant storm. I took too many photos because it is a different view than our normal. I also wish they would stop putting me in a row where…

Nope – nada. Again, not a theologian. I spend time with children. I’ve seen newborns. We all sin and have a propensity to make ungodly choices. For some reason the phrase, Original Sin, makes me picture a tiny person who already has tiny horns. I have seen a two-ish person push down a one-ish person….

We were switching rooms because the air conditioning failed. Each classroom at Redemption Church had a chalkboard with handwritten prayer requests. The classroom, where the children in our car were napping, had a six feet tall by three feet wide board so I expect a teacher had transcribed some requests. As I quietly sat on…