(From 1 Samuel 7) For a long time they had half-heartedly believed in their God, giving him lip service and imagining they loved him while experimenting with the intriguing gods of the people around them. Was their God really the one and the true? These others seemed easier, more comfortable, less demanding. At least at … Continue reading Ebenezer: How to fight the unknown
A week after our beloved friend was killed in a car accident, her mom walked into our office. I hugged her and asked her how she was. She admitted how hard it was to leave her house. How much it took to get dressed and come to work, to face people. She did not try … Continue reading Peace and pressing on
“What if I brought home 50 dogs and 50 cats?” “What if everyone in the whole world sneezed at the same time?” “What if I wore the same clothes every day for a year?” It’s a game, these “what ifs” she asks. We have fun thinking up answers to her audacious questions. The words “what … Continue reading Choosing the right glasses: reflections on Thanksgiving
verb (used with object) to take or receive (something offered); receive with approval or favor: to accept a proposal. Me Like it’s that easy. Like the something offered is something I want, because I know there is no accepting only part of You. Can’t you see how full my arms are already? You Even as … Continue reading Accept
I know a lady who is waiting to die. She has been waiting to die for a long time now. She decided, years ago, that she was done living. She was tired. She had had enough. She just didn’t care anymore, and she was done. She just wants to be with Jesus, as she puts … Continue reading How we are all waiting to die
i. There are ways and ways of seeing. What you choose determines what you know. Like a woman sitting, talking to a Man in the heat of the day. Some see an enemy, some a threat, some a harlot. The woman herself, a nobody. But she is a chalice, a spark. She is seen. … Continue reading Senses
One of my favorite scenes from The Hobbit is at the beginning of the story. Bilbo is comfortably ensconced in his hobbit-hole, safe in his routines, his full pantry, his book, pipe, and chair by the fire. Unexpectedly there is a knock on his door, and then another, and then another, and on and on. Into … Continue reading A Dangerous Business
You were the only two ever to know true paradise. What was it like to wake every morning with no fear at all, to go throughout your day with only joy, wonder, beauty, pleasure in your work? What was it like to know your man only in harmony, as your beloved, your best friend? Till … Continue reading Scared
“Watch to see where God is working and join Him.” Reading this sentence from Experiencing God as a bright-eyed college student excited me. Yes! Here I am! Pick me! Send me! My head was filled with visions of missionary work, maybe living in a hut, maybe toiling over a Bible translation late at night, maybe working … Continue reading Join
“I worry too much. Autumn trees ask me not to worry. They, like Jesus, suggest trust rather than worry. So often in autumn I want to go lean my head against a tree and ask what it feels like to lose so much, to be so empty, so detached, to take off one’s shoes that … Continue reading Listen
View from the Valley 