Gaining a heart of wisdom
"One year ago today... Look back at September 17, 2022." My phone flashed a cheerful message as it does almost every day, inviting me to view photos from a year (or more!) ago. It's an invitation I usually ignore but for some reason, on September 17th I accepted. My reward was a video of wind-driven… Continue reading Harvest the Goodness of Every Single Day by Remembering
My friend Joanne was continually clearing off her kitchen table–with little success to show for her valiant efforts. Whenever we talked on the phone, I could hear her moving about, tethered by a 1970s-era phone cord, and I knew what she was doing. She was clearing off the kitchen table. Again. Even so, whenever I… Continue reading Do the Next Thing and Fine Tune Your Focus
The New City Catechism asks, “Who is God?” and then provides an answer based on the very first verse behind the leather cover of your Bible: God is the Creator of everyone and everything.” Whether you are personally in the business of creating by threading a needle or making music on a keyboard—or by stringing… Continue reading Words of Encouragement for Those Who Envy the “Creative” People
Sometimes I have to pinch myself to realize that I'm actually a grandmother, but for almost nine years, I have answered to the name "Bam." I've discovered that my grandmothering is of a different sort than my mothering. I'm less anxious, more optimistic. Even so, I think I pray for this round of Morins more… Continue reading Celebrating Grandparent’s Day–We “Get” to Be Grandparents!
My sweatshirt still carries the faint aroma of woodsmoke, and I'll get around to washing it sooner or later. For right now, though, I'm enjoying the memory of our quick, impromptu camping adventure in the tall pine trees surrounding Mount Blue. We carried in our water and used a Coleman lantern and a crackling fire… Continue reading Are You Becoming a True Spectator of the Glory of God?
Do you ever stop and think about the why behind all that you do? Especially if you are involved in ministry, what motivates you to keep on working? Is it duty?Pressure from others?Habit?A desire to look good, to be thought well of? Or do you serve God from a heart of love?What motivates your obedience… Continue reading What’s the Temperature of Your Love Relationship with the Lord?
When Amy Carmichael left her home in Ireland to serve as a missionary in India, she embarked with joy upon a career as an itinerant evangelist. As part of a close-knit ministry team, she traveled from village to village, sharing Christ and seeing lives transformed. One campaign reached twenty thousand people, drawing large crowds who… Continue reading Three Words That Make It Possible for You to Rejoice
Very often, when picking beans or tomatoes in the garden, I work alongside the neighborhood honey bees. They're busy ransacking the blossoms and thinking about a honey supply for the long Maine winter ahead of us. At the same time, I'm picturing shiny and colorful jars of beans and spaghetti sauce to store on my… Continue reading What Kind of Fear is Pleasing to God?
On a perfect July beach day, I stood in the Atlantic Ocean up to my knees, enjoying the rhythmic push and pull of thousands of gallons of water. However, as the surf dislodged the sand from beneath my feet, I struggled to maintain my balance. Eventually, I realized that if I insisted on standing in… Continue reading How Can I Stand Firm When the Earth is Shifting Under My Feet?
"Can you teach me how to make biscuits, Bam?" Blue eyes smiled the question with guarded hope, because even five-year-olds recognize the potential of no. Then, with feet firmly planted on the step stool, she measured and mixed while I coached and advised: "Mix in the shortening till all you can see is crumbs all… Continue reading The Positive Impact of Proximity: Stay Close to Your People and Rise Together
Living Our Days 