I love to travel. I caught the “bug” in college and have never quite been the same since. I notice an antsy-ness whenever I experience extended absences of travel and exploration. And of course, every trip makes me yearn for another. I have learned how to take this love of travel into my own surroundings, […]
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst. 31-33 Why? Because the Master won’t ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, […]
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on […]
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) My daily commute takes me through some winding roads in the hills. I must admit that the thought of fearing a hill or […]
This year has been one full of funerals. I’m up to four so far and soon will hit number five. I don’t mean to be crass and spout off my funeral attendance like baseball stats, but I’ve never lost so many people I’ve known in such a short amount of time. My most recent loss […]
So often I have found comfort in reflecting on Jesus’ journey to the cross. He who has been abandoned, rejected, and abused understands our suffering, because he himself has suffered. He is not removed from the human experience, but instead embraced his humanity fully. I’ve become increasingly grateful for the season of Lent as it presents […]
Last weekend I led a group of small group leaders through a time of reflecting on 2014 and looking ahead to 2015. I’m posting it here as a resource for you as you begin this new year. The exercise takes about an hour and a half. You will need a journal, a separate piece of […]
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. A chill ran through my body as I sang this line from a long-loved song. In this season, which has been marked by heaviness, my heart captured a glimpse of the hope Jesus brings. Last week I attended a Christmas service at my friend’s church. It was […]
In case my previous posts weren’t obvious enough, this has been a challenging Christmas for me. It is in no way the worst Christmas ever (see last Friday’s post for details on that one), but this year has been a heavier, more somber holiday season. As I’ve shared my heart these last couple of weeks, […]
This week has been characterized by much sadness. It’s sort of crept up on me, but all of a sudden it hit me how much there is to mourn over, both communally and individually. There is so much around me that seems dark, dank, and desperate. I feel powerless. And I am acutely aware […]
Today I got to try out a new bakery owned by one of my favorite restaurants. I was eagerly awaiting their opening and had been searching for an excuse to visit. The experience did not disappoint and I’m already planning a second visit back, this time with my local bakery expert, Mom. I was posting […]
It has been awhile since I have written. I have been in the midst of a crazy season at work, which resulted in my taking a (brief) break from writing. Now, the craziness has subsided and there’s nothing standing in the way of my writing. Nothing but myself. And sometimes I am my own biggest […]