Back After New Years
Enjoy a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’ll travel next week to speak at Cru’s Indianapolis Winter Conference on Seated with Christ, Sent, and Six Conversations. Ashley and I will both give the Six Conversations worksop. If you would, please pray for the college students attending this conference. I’m praying right now that […]
Where Faith Works
Another deep journaling prompt came to my mind this morning as I continued to read Matthew. Jesus talks quite a bit about faith in chapters 17-23. He rewards faith. He compliments people for their faith. He talks about how even faith “as small as a mustard seed” can move mountains. This made me wonder again: […]
“Deep Journaling”
My friend mentioned the difference between journaling and “deep journaling.” I love connecting with friends who love journaling, and I love asking them about their techniques. I shared with two other young friends today about how I engage in “deep journaling.” Journaling might mean simply recounting the day, for example. Deep journaling means that I’m […]
Getting Christmasy
We enjoyed some time in Pittsburgh yesterday. I loved the gingerbread house display! Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
The Christmas Cookies and Candied Pecans
We made a batch of Christmas cookies after perfecting our candied pecans. I love long baking days. Now, we eat some ourselves and give the rest away!
Prepare Him Room
It always struck me that God arranged things so that “there was no room” for Jesus at the inn. We read in Luke 2:7 the famous words: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the […]
Simple Christmas Prayer
This morning I thought about the simplicity and power of David’s words in Psalm 51: 10-12. When I think about Christmas, I often pray that God helps our family and community feel that Christmas spirit and the joy of a Savior’s birth. But we often don’t feel that way. We often feel a different kind […]
The Creek in Winter: Solitude and Rest
I went to the creek to declutter my mind, to sit on a log and listen to the rush of water over mossy rocks. I went to perhaps spy a pheasant or a beaver. I went to rest alone and let God cleanse me of muddled ideas, busy schedules, and burdens carried. You can cast […]
Winter Contrast
I love a bright blue sky in winter. I notice the tree limbs and love how they rise, dark and empty. I can hardly wait to return to the woods and notice all the things you only see in winter.
Talk to One Stranger a Day (My Student’s Advice)
I recently read a student’s paper on how he made a New Year’s resolution last year to talk to one stranger a day. And he’s done it. He recounted one story of how talking to a stranger at a sporting event led to one of his deepest friendships, including spending Spring Break together. I’ve been […]