I fill my basket. Bananas. Apples. Blueberries. Crusty breads on sale–country wheat baguette, pan bigio, calabrese rounds. Kalamata olives. Diapers, wipes, vinyl bibs. A fleece jacket for Gracee–on sale for three dollars. And I remember what Cassandra said in response to my pity party on Wednesday. Bring in beauty right where you are. Right now. […]
Reflections on @stickyJesus: Chapter 10
There will be days when you are interacting online and you will feel lonely and shunned and question whether you are making any difference at all. That’s okay. It’s the emotional cost of being a messenger of grace in a foreign land. ~@stickyJesus Lord help me be a reflection of you a messenger of grace […]
Window on Writing: Today I’m Frustrated
The wicker basket spewed the toys all over the living room this morning. Again. The grandgirl spewed bananas and cereal all over my fresh-washed white robe. Again. I’ve closed doors and moved furniture strategically to block baby finger magnets. Again. I notice a vague ache in my back. Either Lillee is getting heavier or I’m […]
Textures of Text: Under His Wings
Once, as I traveled through the Himalayas, there was a great forest fire. Everyone was frantically trying to fight the fire, but I noticed a group of men standing and looking up into a tree that was about to go up in flames. When I asked them what they were looking at, they pointed up […]
Monday Meditation: No Strings Attached
He set aside His rights clothed self in clay to show the Father’s love. No strings attached. He spat love on clumps of clay and smeared eyes once blind that now can see. No strings attached. He ladled love on feet bruised and clay cracked God knelt to meet our need No strings attached. He […]
Sunday Seasoned Sayings: History
History is a ribbon, always unfurling. History is a journey. And as we continue our journey, we think of those who traveled before us . . . we see and hear again the echoes of our past: a general falls to his knees in the hard snow of Valley Forge; a lonely president paces the […]
Saturday Snaps: Getting Fruity
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ~Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance […]
Friday Fuel for the Weekend: Dare to Sabbath
Go nowhere to go somewhere. Do nothing to do something. Dump fuel to refuel. Stop to go. Pause to produce. The paradox of sabbath. And sabbath is what chapter 8 of God in the Yard is all about. Trusting in cycles of strength and weakness, rest and work, presence and absence (or presence and hiddenness.) […]
Reflections on @stickyJesus: Chapter 9
Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. ~C.S. Lewis Caution! You are about to enter the land of the “streaming me.” Where everyone–almost–screams for attention. Everywhere you click online, competing messages, philosophies, opinions, and personal agendas dominate . . . You can’t be online for five minutes without bumping into […]
Window on Writing: The Shelter of His Presence
Thou has made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee. ~St. Augustine Restless one pursued by fear homeless and alone spill your pain like water make room for overflowing joy unending blessing and come home for in the shelter of His presence there is peace […]
