Gaining a heart of wisdom
Marriage and family are two gifts God has graciously granted to me—even though I didn't have the optimism or good sense to pray for them. Perhaps that's why I am now so grateful for the privilege of being a wife and mother. Maybe that's why I am awestruck with every announcement of another grandchild on… Continue reading Look at All Your Blessings Through Eyes of Wonder
A hymnal is one of the books I use almost daily in my devotional routine, and I love Thanksgiving hymns in November. Their tried and true words and melodies call up visions of harvested fields, gatherings around a loaded table, and God's "countless gifts of love." I learned one of my favorite Thanksgiving hymns in… Continue reading Thank God for What He’s Given You Now
When Kay Warren's son took his own life, she was, of course, devastated. She knew this was a risk because he had suffered from clinical depression since the age of eight and had been voicing thoughts of suicide since the age of twelve. She had faithfully told him they couldn't give up hope, and she… Continue reading Singing the Song of the First Thanksgiving
November ushers in my favorite holiday. It's the Gratitude Season—days for making a conscious effort to say "Thank YOU!" to God for all the blessings, big and small, that we take for granted most of the time. Psalm 118 begins with gratitude for God's goodness and mercy, and then proceeds to give evidence to back… Continue reading Most of All, Thank You for Being God
Reading the Proverbs always feels like drinking from a fire hose. Wisdom comes flying at the reader in quick succession, and no matter how hard I try, I can't stop looking for an outline or some connection between the flood of consecutive aphorisms and metaphors. Of course, in the big picture, it's all connected to… Continue reading Watch Your Words: Speak with Wisdom and Live Well
This morning, the fall colors called me outside for a walk, and, as usual, I ended up in the garden—even though the only living things that remain are the zinnias and the dahlias. I'm cheering the dahlias on in their race against the frost. The buds are there, but having planted them in a spot… Continue reading Fall Gardening in Maine and Other Extreme Acts of Faith
"Every story that ends in service for Christ started in grace."1 The words were inscribed in my journal with no attribution, but I had been studying Romans 1:7: To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." "Grace and peace" always… Continue reading Grace and Peace in an Election Year?
The garden here on the hill has gasped its last, and sunflowers stand guard over the ruins. Rows of canning jars in my basement are solid evidence of summer's fruition. I expect to be enjoying our beautiful butternut squash for Thanksgiving dinner, but, looking for pumpkins among the tangled vines, the gardening season seems to… Continue reading An Autumn Celebration: The Subtle Beauty of Mature Fruitfulness
“My son, do not forget my law,But let your heart keep my commands;For length of days and long lifeAnd peace they will add to you.” (Proverbs 3:1, 2) Obedience from the heart is the first evidence of belonging. We don’t remember God’s laws and keep his commandments in order to become God’s children. We obey… Continue reading How Do I Show My Love for God?
"Let's move on," wrote Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian church. "Let's go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." And he revealed, probably for the first time ever, an out-of-the-body experience in which he was "caught up to the third heaven." Did it happen when he was pelted with stones and left… Continue reading When You Don’t Want the Gift You’ve Been Given
Living Our Days 