While I in bed sick a few weeks ago, I watched a lot of YouTube videos. The algorithm that knows I like thrifting and vintage reseller videos, (this channel and this channel are my favorites) so it started feeding me furniture flipper videos. I watched a skilled furniture flipper who sands and then repaints old furniture. Then I moved on to videos of a more skilled hobbyist woodworker who does repair and refinishing. Finally, I came to videos of a master woodworker...
Last week on the blog, I shared about a local organization I volunteered with called Bridge of Hope that addresses homelessness. I was so encouraged to think about the good that people are doing in the name of Jesus. I know that many of you are involved in all sorts of creative and helpful things in your own neighborhoods, so I’m starting a new reader spotlight series! Here’s what I’d love from you. If you’re involved in a project...
November 4, 2021
depression•discipleship•prayer•Uncategorized•waiting•weakness
Pocket Prayers Printable
I don’t know about you, but there have been times in my spiritual life with God when I long for the rich prayers passed down in our Christian tradition. I enjoy praying prayers from The Book of Common Prayer with my community and family. Then there are other times when I pray more desperate, fleeting prayers. I long to hear God’s voice break through my disappointment, my confusion, my doubts, my questions, my darkness. I’ve collected six of those...
I have two big folders of artwork from college that I’ve never thrown away. I was in college at Gardner-Webb University (a wonderful small Baptist college in North Carolina) from 1996-2000. I recently remembered two charcoal sketches I did in drawing class. They were of Mary and Joseph, with words from Christmas hymns scrawled in the background. These are very similar to the image I created for the poem about the woman at the well a few weeks ago...
I’ve been thinking and reading a lot about the church in America recently, especially through this last election season. When I observe the American church, I see some Christian speaking prophetically and faithfully. I see some grasping for political power, justifying whatever means for what is seen as a desirable end. Some go to war with the culture against the radical “other” on the other side. I see others withdraw into Christian “bubbles,” isolated from the culture of the...
Maybe it’s classic American self-importance, but even if you’re not an American, I assume you know we have a big election next week? It’s been divisive and polarizing, to say the least. The rhetoric is heated and scoffing is rampant on both sides. And that’s inside the church (but not mine, necessarily, thankfully)! The most polarizing issues get attention, urgent issues get ignored (school funding reform anyone??!), and issues that shouldn’t be polarizing have been politicized (coronavirus, masks). We’re...
Hello friends! I know I’ve been quiet this last month since I shared my last screensaver. At first it was coronavirus and having all my children at homem but the last few weeks it has been the protests in our country following the murder of George Floyd on May 25. I’m sure that you’ve followed these events, even if you’re not an American. I have been even more burdened for my country, by our violence and oppression. By our...
One practice that has been helpful in my spiritual life in the past few years is to increasingly pause in the multitude of my thoughts and anxieties, and ask, “God, what do you want to say to me right now?” “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.” (Isa 55:3 ESV) It’s a discipline that I’m growing in. It...
I have these gaps . . . between what I know and what I, in fact, believe Does God even like me? . . . Am I not justified in judging this person? between what I know and what I do Why do I let anger get the better of me? . . . Why is talking to God such a struggle for me? between what I know of Jesus and how much I am like him. How can I have...
