Enter Like This
This morning, I noted some special instructions about entering the presence of the Lord. Now I know we can enter God’s presence with confidence–at any time and in any condition–because of Jesus. Consider Hebrews 10:9: “Therefore, brothers and sisters. . .we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” and […]
Getting Moving in the Morning
I talk to students often about starting a great morning routine. They agree that a morning routine makes all the difference in shaping a great day. Some students wake up 2 minutes before class, race across campus, and dive into their seats. They stay frazzled the rest of the day. Others wake up 2 hours […]
Sparrows and Robins Together
In the winterberry bush, a robin built her nest right next to the sparrow nest. I suppose our attempts to woo birds to the backyard worked indeed! We provided nesting materials (twigs, hair, twine, grasses), a bird bath, and plenty of birdseed. We also have a fence that keeps out most wildlife. Perhaps best of […]
A Special Offer to Celebrate the Class of 2021
Now until May 20, 2021, visit https://www.moodypublishers.com/sent/ and use code SENDOFF21 at checkout. Thank you!
Patch of Purple in the Woods
A Famine of God’s Word
This morning, I considered Joseph and how, during famine, people came to him to provide grain. They knew he had nourishment for them; Joseph stored the grain and saved Egypt from famine. We read in Genesis 41 how “all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.” […]
Nest Watch
Gazing on Beautiful Things
As part of my gratitude ritual, I decided to write down a few “beautiful things” I love to observe. Robin eggs. Sunlight filtered through the trees. Lilacs. Water flowing in a creek. A sleeping cat all curled up. A person smiling. I added this to my list as I walked into the kitchen this morning: […]
Some Worship Music for the Kitchen
My daughters and I always enjoy listening to music in the kitchen. We shuffle songs by Frank Sinatra, and we love singing along as we make dinner. We also, of course, regularly enjoy 80’s music and anything by Taylor Swift. But lately I’ve been returning to worship music, especially in the mornings. I recently discovered […]
Blooming in the Desert
This morning, I read all about deserts in the Bible. The desert becomes a grand metaphor for our own hearts and lives. When you think of desert living, you think of a dry, uninhabitable, lonely, and languishing kind of image. And nothing good seems to happen in the desert. People starve and die in the […]