Some Louder. Some Softer.
My husband gently reminded me today that it’s not good to dominate meetings. I know I have this tendency. I can talk too much. I boldly and loudly share all my ideas! I become so passionate! So today, I realize that living with flair means I sometimes must take a softer approach. Some of us […]
The Lavender Harvest
My daughter planted lavender in our garden this year, and today, I notice the fragrant, deep purple buds. Apparently, it’s time to now harvest them and make tiny bundles to dry the lavender in a cool, dark closet. In a few weeks, we’ll then decide how we want to use our lavender. I’m so excited […]
A Firm Place to Stand
I love how, in Psalm 40, we learn how God answers our cry and lifts us up to set our feet “on a rock” and give us a “firm place to stand.” The image of standing on a firm place helps ease my anxiety, especially over speaking engagements, teaching seminars, or anything I’m doing that […]
Going Back to Guarded
A new podcast episode on how God guards our lives airs today. I’m learning that many people love to read, but others love to listen. How wonderful that technology allows us to do both!
Tasty Little Morning Bowls
During the summer months, I hardly want a steaming bowl of oatmeal. Instead, it’s so delicious to layer frozen blueberries, a sliced banana, walnuts, almonds, flaxseed, chia seeds, and some pumpkin seeds in a big bowl. Enjoy! You could even add some almond milk to eat it like cereal. I love the sweet, cool, fresh […]
A Prayer and Blessing to Treasure: Psalm 20
I love the powerful blessing of Psalm 20 that I imagine David speaking out over his men in battle. I picture someone praying this over me, in my own daily battles, and find such encouragement and hope. It’s such a beautiful psalm. David writes: May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may […]
The Class that Begins When It Ends
I spend my morning responding to student emails from classes I taught semesters ago. With coffee cup in one hand, I’m skimming short stories, personal statements, novels, and memoirs of students who have taken up my offer to allow the writing to continue. After all, I tell them that a great class begins the day […]
An Image from Psalm 18
This morning, I find myself so happy about the image in Psalm 18 about our feet being like the feet of the deer that stand on the heights. David writes: As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our […]
The Nice Little Walk
I love when friends ask me to take a little walk. I’m ready! Let’s go! I love that taking a little walk combines exercise with connecting relationally. I love that I don’t have to prepare or go anywhere—I just throw on shoes. I’ve been known to take a walk in my pajamas because someone wanted […]
God Lifts You
I’m meditating on perhaps a new favorite verb in scripture: lifts. God lifts you. He’s the lifter of your head. My journey into understanding this little Hebrew verb began with Psalm 3:3 where we read of David’s troubling cry to the Lord as he flees from his son Absalom. I learn, first of all, that […]