Learning New Things About Writing
As you know, I love grammar. After teaching writing for 25 years, you’d think I would know everything about writing. You’d think I’d become bored. Well, I don’t. And I love that I don’t. There’s always more to learn about the craft of good writing. It makes writing and teaching writing continually exciting. This year, […]
Doing Nice Things for Strangers
It feels good to do nice things for strangers. Try it! Think about intentional kindness to strangers as a way to live with flair. If the day feels boring or purposeless to you, you can set your mind to find strangers to bless. I love the challenge of it. I love imagining what I’ll do. […]
God Acts on What He Hears
I’m reading The Listening Life by Adam McHugh. In one chapter, McHugh talks about God as always listening and acting on what He hears. God doesn’t listen and ignore. God doesn’t listen and forget. God listens and acts. He’s already responding right now to what you’ve asked in prayer. Consider Psalm 37:5: Commit your way […]
Far Too Small
Yesterday, I read the lyrics to “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (written by Isaac Watts in 1707). This verse captured my heart: Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. Think of it: If you had […]
A Quote I’m Thinking About
This morning before church, I discover this quote from Henri Nouwen. He says, “Jesus never asked us to be productive. Jesus asked us to be fruitful.” I’m thinking about this distinction quite a bit these days. So many things around us pressure us into productivity and accomplishment. But a life of deep abiding in Christ […]
Pictures from a recent Seated, Surrendered, and Sent retreat!
Concluding October in the Psalms: God Heals
If you’ve read along each day, you’re almost finished with the book of Psalms. Congratulations! On November 1, you can start again! You might also consider reading a Proverb each day to finish that book in a month. So fun! Today I noticed Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” As a […]
October in the Psalms: Hearing All the Love
I’ve always loved the hope in Psalm 143:8 where David writes, “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.” I picture David going to bed after a really bad day. He thinks that, surely, tomorrow will be better. He retires with the hope of good news in the morning. […]
October in the Psalms: The Lord Will Fulfill His Purpose for Me
In Psalm 138:8, we read this comforting statement: “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.” When I worry about the future or wonder if I’m living out my purpose, I turn to God and remember this verse. It’s a simple sentence to repeat throughout the day and meditate on. It’s also a great spiritual practice […]
October in the Psalms: Dwell in Unity
Psalm 133:1 offers a great challenge and a vision for one’s attitude, speech, and behavior. We read, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” As so many conversations work to divide and incite others against each other, I think about these questions: Does this attitude, speech, or behavior work to […]