All These Years Later: God Wastes Nothing
Today I return to the phone for a second radio interview. But it’s not about my books; it’s about my dissertation on shame I wrote nearly 20 years ago at the University of Michigan. I had mentioned–in that offhand kind of way that you never think people really take note of–that I had studied shame […]
It’s Always the Simple Truth
This morning I woke up completely exhausted with that “I cannot do this!” feeling. You know it, right? But I remembered the simple truth from Philippians 4:13: “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me” (NASB). I have the strength for everything through Christ empowering me to do whatever it is He has called […]
Coasting
Today felt like a day to finally coast after pushing, pushing, pushing with work. I looked at the calendar and realized I didn’t have one single meeting or commitment. It was a glorious downhill after pushing up hill. And it felt like an invitation to a kind of Sabbath rest. A Sabbath rest? Shall I? […]
When Your Daughter Crochets
A Verse to Remember When Traveling
My friend sends me Psalm 119:54-55: “Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. In the night I remember your name, O Lord.” I thought about the “theme of my song” being more like complaining about jet lag, poor sleep, body aches from sitting too long on flights: that’s my usual travel […]
Which One Was You?
I watch the college students race into the auditorium for their Christian conference, Bibles and notebooks in hand, and both eagerness and uncertainty on their faces. I look carefully as they all rush by me where I’m sitting in the back with all the older folks and the visiting professors. And I think: Which one […]
What You Miss When You’re Afraid
As I walked along the San Francisco Bay this morning, I thanked the Lord for helping me overcome the fear of travel, of speaking. of being anywhere away from home. Each time I journeyed out in faith, the fear shrank down. Now, fear feels like a small, familiar friend who’s there to remind me that […]
Ahead of the Storm
I depart for my San Francisco conference a day early to get ahead of the coming storm. At the advice of the airline, I change my flights immediately. While relaxing in the airport today after a safe trip out of Pennsylvania (no snow) and a safe arrival to Chicago (no snow), I realize that I […]
Stop Thinking and Talking and Pray
I remember to pray. God hears and answers.
Always Tidying
I talk to my daughters about the idea that, technically, we’re always tidying. I know that sounds bizarre, but if you think about it, it’s the only way to manage the chaos and to always have a clean environment. And it’s not hard. Always tidying simply means that after we use something, we put it […]