When Your Sister Picks You Up from College on the Weekends
Yesterday, my sister drove nearly 4 hours to see me speak for the women of Blacksburg Christian Fellowship. It wasn’t until after the event that she realized the full significance of the weekend and told me her thoughts. You see, during my college years–with my sister a student at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg) and me at […]
A Visit from My Big Sister
My big sister drove three hours to Blacksburg from Richmond, Virginia to come hear me speak for the women of Blacksburg Christian Fellowship. What a wonderful retreat!
Small Town Joy
I arrive at 5:17 AM to board a 5:50 AM flight out of State College–and I find I have time to spare. I’m actually writing this as I wait to board my little plane. I give a wave to an airport worker I know. She once babysat my children. Yes, this is a small town. […]
Arriving in “Full Measure”
As I travel more this month for speaking engagements (keep me in your prayers!!), I remember this little but powerful comment from Paul in Romans 15:29. He writes, “I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.” Doesn’t it seem so lovely to imagine […]
Taking a Moment
I love taking a moment. Taking a moment means you sit by yourself in some quiet spot. You take a deep breath. You sip some cool water. You let your mind wander for a few minutes. You pray. You close your eyes and cast your cares on the Lord. In the moment–whether you can afford […]
“Daily life is always extraordinary when rendered precisely.” –Bonnie Friedman
I love teaching students to observe their ordinary world and make meaning from it. Our final class essay involves noticing something that creates mystery, wonder, awe, even worship, in our regular routines. It’s a way to stop and think, to puzzle over something, to wonder. I’ve read essays about coats, hair, purses, and jellyfish. I’ve […]
A Calm Soul
This morning I read the words of John Wesley: “Let me do nothing today without calmness of soul.” I pray for calmness of soul. I think of myself in the peaceful fortress of God’s care. I think of being led beside still waters. It’s calm in here.
5 Worship Songs for Rejoicing That We’re Seated with Christ
Over the past few days, readers of Seated with Christ have introduced me to beautiful songs that help us inhabit the reality of our being seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). I thought I’d include them here for you: “Carried to the Table” by Leeland. The stunning lyrics include these lines: Summoned by the KingInto the […]
Something’s Wrong? Keep Moving.
My worst fears come upon me as I travel down the harrowing stretch of mountain road on the way home from a speaking event. The sky will darken soon. The cold rain pelts down. The cars travel too fast all around me. I glance down to check my speed. I notice it then: a warning […]
Why It’s Good You’re Not Everything
Well, I’m learning to be gentle with myself–profoundly gentle–especially in the face of criticism or when disappointing others. A woman I just met told me that what she’s most learning in parenting is that “she’s not everything” (and she shouldn’t be everything) to her children. We talk about how her not being everything means that […]