All Anguish for All Joy
This morning, our pastor quoted from this Puritan prayer called “Love Lustres at Calvary,” and I find myself moved by the words. In The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, you’ll find these words: Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy, cast off that I might be brought […]
The Spring Things
Usually by the end of March in Pennsylvania, the weather warms enough for me to bring up the bin of summer clothes from the basement. From my closet, I carefully fold my thick sweaters and winter layers and pack them away along with the winter boots and scarves. It’s time for the Spring Things. What […]
A Little Break and A Little Adventure
With high winds tossing tree limbs all over our neighborhood, I wasn’t surprised when the lights flickered. Then, we had no power at all. I quickly discover from neighbors the rumors of a tree that fell across a street that took power lines down with it. We’re all home because of COVID, and with so […]
Teaching Up
Sometimes when I’m grading, I think about the point of critique. It often feels like I’m putting students down. Here’s your mistake! Here’s what you did wrong! Here’s what’s missing! But then I remember to teach up. Critique is always about the next time, the coming moment, the thing they’ll do better in the future. […]
He Will Guide You on Unfamiliar Paths
My friends shares this encouragement from Isaiah 42:16, and I think about the words all evening. Consider God’s beautiful promise here: I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the […]
“He who kneels the most stands the best.” D.L. Moody
This week, I’m speaking twice on my passion for prayer. I love this quote on a coffee mug sent to me by Moody Publishers: “He who kneels the most stands the best.”–D.L. Moody.
Along for the Ride
Today I remember the image I learned of seeing your anxiety or negative emotions as “along for the ride” but not in the driver’s seat. Think of all your stress or fear as sitting in the back seat of your car. Sure, fear can throw a tantrum, make all kinds of noise, and try to […]
Expand What You Can Actually Do
I never thought I’d be a fruit and vegetable gardener. Now, whenever I taste something I love in the vegetable category, I think, “Can I grow this? Let me try.” I’m even considering ordering an easy to build greenhouse for the side of my garden. This way, my lemon plant and the mango seed I’m […]
Take the Best Slice (From Yesterday)
On a dessert platter, my husband reaches for a small, cracked, practically fruitless piece of tart. Our host exclaims, “Not that one! You take the best slice, the one with all the best toppings.” I want to be the kind of person who makes sure others get the best slice. Something about that moment stayed […]