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I almost missed it

It was the end of the day and I had one more stop to make before heading home.  I was tired, but then I noticed the sky.  It caught my eye and it was a captivating view.  A rare display of clouds like I had not seen before.  Clouds held together by ribbons of pink shadows.  Stunning.  I parked my car and went into auto-pilot mode, making a fast trek to the grocery store entrance.  Then I stopped.  Something was tugging at me.  I turned around to absorb the view.  But that still wasn't enough, so I walked to the far end of the parking lot and stood in amazement.  I was in awe.  What tugged at my heart?  What called to me so loudly that it made me want to stop and take it all in?  The Bible talks about how we yearn for God.  How our heart seeks him.  It is not a coincidence that we find connection to him in his creation, or as I call it, his canvas.  So, I took in a breath, and took in the awesome view. And here we are.  It’s Christmas and I am wondering if you might be in a

When I said yes

When I said yes to God, I had no idea of the path it would take me on.   My heart and the broken places inside of me were a mess, yet I found hope in God and I was “all in.”    I found a God that offered a way through truth.   Truth that I was truly forgiven and fully loved.   Thirty years ago, I said yes, and looking back on the path, I see the inclines that have given me spiritual muscle.   I’ve seen grace and miracles come through pain, growth, beauty and love.    These days, though, I’m tired.   Because I often think that after all this time, I’d have some kind rest, maybe a little coasting.   But just like the physical body, if we stop working it, using it, we die.   Atrophy sets in.   Spiritually, I sometimes feel atrophied.   My spiritual laziness makes me feel even dead at times.   It is a place so easy to get to.   I rest on my own “goodness,” whatever that is.   And that’s the beginning of a new path that takes me absolutely nowhere.    Today.   Now.   I say ye

Naomi's Story - Blessed Assurance

I’ve never met anyone who acts like a child more than Naomi.   I know that sounds like a dig, but it really isn’t.   She is a child before her creator, God and just like a child, Naomi talks to God.   A lot.   It’s a side of her I’ve admired from the moment I met her.   She innocently and faithfully talks to God, just like a kid talks to their dad.   She is honest and real with HIM and it was during a challenging day that she began to pray openly with her child-like heart.   The conversation took place as she was driving in her car.    It was a dreary, overcast day, but now and then the sun would tease and peek through the gray sky. Naomi is in transition.   She is planning to move to Texas and wonders about the move.   Specifically, she wonders about God and asks questions.   Where was HE in this leg of her journey?   She had been seeking HIS reassurance, but she wasn't hearing that still small voice she was familiar with.   So, she decided to pray that day while in her car

Tony's Story

Lung cancer.  That was Tony’s diagnosis.  For Tony, this was just one small story on his journey.  He has many stories that reveal God’s faithfulness in ways impossible to explain on a human or earthly level.  On this leg of his journey, the lung cancer was just a minor detail. Tony already took action by placing his trust in God’s hands.  He had faithful believers holding him up in prayer and from one unlikely circumstance to another, the way was made for Tony to receive treatment for his cancer at Mayo Clinic.  That in itself was not too extraordinary.  What was extraordinary was how the timing of his treatment hurdled over the usual timeline for cases like his. Through this “unusual” timing, Tony was able to receive attention and care for his cancer.  Part of his treatment was a special type of radiation that made him feel quite afraid.   Even though there were doctors in the room, he felt alone.   As he lay still in the machine that would administer his treatment,

I'm a piece of work. Artwork that is!

  “God is not a technician.   God is an Artist.     This is the God who made you.     The same God who lives inside you.     He comes into us, then comes out of us, in a million little ways.”       Emily Freeman "A Million Little Ways" For me, one of the little ways is through collage.   In my class this weekend, I listened, tried to retain (big challenge for this messy mind of mine) and then apply.   One thing was certain, when I thought too much about what I wanted to create, I became stuck.   I had to stop and release that urge to strive.   Strive for what?  Perfection, inability to commit?  A little of both.    Thankfully, I caught myself and decided to just go for it and slap a piece of collage paper on my canvas.   That wasn’t so bad.   Now I was able to exhale.   Once I did that, my heart was stirred and I was able to move forward with anticipation.   What a process!   It sounds painful, but really it is growth, which is good.    We wor