“And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.” Luke 4: 13-14 The tile floor is bearable this morning despite record-low temperatures in East Texas. … Continue reading Resting in the ashes
Killing me is hard. Long, busy days flow over into time reserved for community and grace. I grow tired and angry and resist the opportunities to meet with others to show love, to be loved. Without exception, doing battle with me is treacherous. It always seems most dangerous and inevitable after periods of peace and … Continue reading Vigorous resistance
If we dare to look upon the dreaded tree, we will find our rescue.
I think of Eugene Peterson and his explanation of what it means to wait on God, wait on God in prayer: “Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts,”
The wee hours of Christmas morning, maybe even still Christmas Eve, I recall heart racing as I huddled under the covers with dad’s digital green glow watch. Not able to necessarily “tell time,” I stared and waited for the numbers 5-0-0 to come across the face for that is when I was instructed to return … Continue reading Christmas has come
Once, a very long time ago, there was a land full of people. It was an extensive society with a great history. There were stories of triumphs and failures, of peace and war, of unity and division. These people lived in a land that was growing weary. For thousands of years people had lived and … Continue reading The Prince of Peace
To be alone with me You went up on a tree ~Sufjan Stevens, To Be Alone With You When my brother died I looked for him everywhere. I knew without a doubt that his faith had become sight and now he’d seen the King. I know where he is. Left here on the faltering gray … Continue reading Grief and glimpses of glory
Bombs and gunfire and fear. Fridays are fun days and Paris is that place, that place that conjures love and food and romance and wine and wistful getaways. This twisted Friday the 13th tore a hole in the heart of that city and those of us across the ocean who sat mesmerized. It was not … Continue reading No discernment in the dark
"All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful." ~Flannery O'Connor I felt small, and not the good kind of small. Not the kind that meant the black you wore was flattering and the muffin top was less visible. This was purely the less visible kind. The kind where … Continue reading Pity parties and answered prayers
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 When I was in college, I fell in love. The … Continue reading Love letters
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