To Remind You This Isn’t Home
A dear hurting woman and wife of a pastor from a church Ashley and I spent time with recently told me the secret to her joy in the midst of profound physical pain—the kind of pain that won’t go away and impacts her everyday life. When I asked her what God has most taught her […]
A Fresh Season of Ministry
I’ve always lived my life by the academic calendar, so my fresh season of ministry begins mid-August as I prepare for a new fall semester of teaching at Penn State. It all begins again! I’m so excited! With the new academic start, Ashley and I also launch our fall season of teaching on Sent and […]
A Summer Book Club
I’m hosting a private Facebook group this summer for people wanting to read Seated with Christ (adults) and This Seat’s Saved (young readers). We launch today, so it’s not too late to join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/873898178115057 I love reading books in the summer! Join us!
To Love Like This: A Dear Friend’s Passing
I woke up to the news of the passing of a dear friend, Randy Newman. Randy and his wife, Pam, were treasured mentors during our staff life with Cru, and Randy continued to meet with Ashley every month. As I processed the news and responded to texts from friends who knew Randy, I remembered so […]
Tending Helps a Tender You
This morning, I transplanted my seedlings into the garden bed. The ones I planted from seed didn’t look so healthy; I’d been traveling too much to care well for them. We decided to drive over to the next town through the stunning Pennsylvania countryside to what we locally call the region’s “Secret Garden”: Tait Farm. […]
Prayers for Graduates, Young Professionals, or Anyone Building Something New
This morning, as I read David’s words to his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 22:9-19, I found so many parallels to how we might pray for and speak to those in our lives who are graduating, starting new professional adventures, or simply wanting to begin a new project. David describes Solomon as begin a man […]
Managing in the Thicket
I’ve been thinking about Jeremiah 12:5 recently. I remember reading this verse in college because it’s how God rebukes Jeremiah for his attitude and concerns. Back then, I read this verse as inspiration to endure what I considered “hard things” as training for the even harder things that might come upon me in my life. […]
First Nest of the Season
I’m back to the blog after my time away for teaching, speaking, and writing. I’m almost finished with Book 2 in the Elita Brown Series. It’s called The Disappearing Seat, and it’s due to the publisher on June 1st. Enjoy this picture of the first robin’s nest of spring in my yard. The Nest raises […]
Back to the Ponds
Some delightful things occupy the days now that water fills the vernal ponds once again. I visit two: the secret vernal pond near my house, and one farther away named “Ten Acre Pond” that my friend shows me. The salamander and frog eggs rest in big jelly-like clusters all over the pond. Soon, thousands of […]
Guided By Moses’ Blessing
I finished Deuteronomy this morning, and I noticed three new ways to speak blessing over others like Moses did. I love these words that I can pray over you reading this now: May the Lord bless all your skills and be pleased with the work of your hands. (33:11) May the Lord bless you with the best […]