Not Always Every Day
Quick update: Due to my traveling, as you know, I’m not always blogging over the weekend. It’s been a big change for all of us not to enjoy daily Live with Flair posts, so I wanted to thank you for your faithful daily readership and engagement since March 2010. I’m also aware that sometimes you’ll […]
Tuned to Joy
This morning, I paused when I read Job 30:31 and how Job describes himself. He writes: My lyre is tuned to mourning, and my pipe to the sound of wailing. I recalled the line from the famous and beloved hymn, “Come Thou Fount” where the writer sings of another kind of tuned instrument. He writes, “Come […]
Something to Desire
This morning, I asked God for wisdom. It’s because I felt overwhelmed with the truth found in Job 28 about how priceless wisdom is. What more on earth would you desire? And what if we searched for wisdom as much as we pursue wealth or achievement or pleasurable experiences? I love how Job says this […]
No Bad Weather, Just Bad Clothing
I trudged across campus with fleece-lined tights, snow boots, hat, gloves, wool skirt, turtleneck, sweater, umbrella—I felt cozy and protected as blizzard conditions blocked my vision. Nobody understood why Penn State didn’t cancel or delay classes. Nobody knew how we’d all make it to campus and navigate icy sidewalks. But we made it. I met […]
All the Ways to Help
I thought today about God as our “Helper” and how we reflect His character when we see ourselves as “helping” in any situation. I suppose this takes wisdom and inspiration from the Holy Spirit to know what actually helps someone. A great prayer might look like this: Lord, help me become a helper and know […]
The Wisdom of Job
I’m reading along with the Bible Recap for a chronological Bible reading plan this year, and whenever I get to the book of Job, I normally skim it. I normally think I’m supposed to disregard the foolish advice of Job’s friends, so why bother? But this time, I think carefully about where there’s wisdom in […]
First Big Snow (and a Bald Eagle)
The Patience of Noah
Peter Spier’s Noah’s Ark stands as one of my favorite books from childhood. I marveled at the illustrations as the flood rose higher and higher. I loved looking at the animals and Noah’s exasperated expression inside of the ark. In my memory, I see Noah sending the dove out, both hands extended. Then, I see […]
One Thing Diminished
We walked along Spring Creek just now. The cold winter air feels so nice our our faces. I notice, most of all, the quiet. A big snow storm will come in a few days, and it’s as if all the creatures know; they’ve burrowed away under logs and hide deep in the woods along the […]
Two Things I’m Thinking About for 2024: Delight and Prosperity
Hello! I’ve returned from my conference, and I’m thrilled to report that I loved speaking for the college students in Indianapolis. What a wonderful time to experience the energy and fun of 1700 people all gathered to learn about Jesus, worship Jesus, and surrender to Jesus. As I start the new year and a fresh […]