The Blessing of a Virtual Retreat
I wasn’t sure how it would feel this morning as I spoke from the corner of my bedroom for a virtual retreat on Seated, Guarded, and Sent. Yet so quickly I realized how fantastic this event was going to be! I loved the cozy feeling of speaking to the women as they sat in their […]
Murmuring
It’s hard to read Exodus and not think carefully about all the complaining. We see the worst in ourselves as the Israelites murmur and grumble and continue to complain when things don’t go well for them. In fact, I’ve heard others teach on this murmuring, critical spirit that can take over your whole life. In […]
Something I Wrote on Interpersonal Curiosity
Happy Thursday! I recently wrote for parents and youth pastors who wanted to know how to help teens grow in the art of interpersonal curiosity. Here is the article, and I hope you enjoy all the fun tips you can apply today as you also grow as a curious person. https://www.rootedministry.com/blog/teaching-teens-the-art-of-interpersonal-curiosity/
Not Everything
Today I enjoyed a lovely little flair moment while admiring my blooming orchid. What astonishing beauty! But then I leaned in to smell the bloom. Such disappointment! My variety of orchid does not smell very fragrant at all. But this is intended; I learn that some orchids attract pollinators in other ways: through mimicking pheromones, […]
The God Show
Early this morning, I received a great question from a reader: How can I keep writing and publishing from being the “me show?” For 8 long years, I struggled with the self-promotion and fame aspect of writing and publishing. I feared the sin of it all—that I was becoming like the people Jesus scolds in […]
Can and Will
This morning, I learned something so wonderful in Exodus 6. I loved it so much that I already told my husband, my daughters, my sister, my friend, and now you! In Exodus 6, God says something very unusual to Moses. He says this: “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to […]
Now Go
I’m reading in Exodus after my journey through Genesis and Job. I pause at Exodus 4:12 because I realize it’s exactly what so many of us–perhaps even you–need to hear in a fresh way. If you remember, God gives Moses a wonderful (if not terrifying) assignment to speak first to the elders of Israel and […]
The Undecorating
Five years ago–during this very week, I wrote this about the beauty of taking down the decorations. I reread it every year, and I thought you’d enjoy it today: I notice today that nobody ever posts photos of undecorating. Nobody wants to see a house dismantled of its glorious holiday adornment. I find it curious […]
Halfway Through a Month of Encouragement
Today I realized that most writers think they must write a book. You don’t have to write a book! You might write any number of amazing pieces in your writing life. Write! Think about poetry, song lyrics, newsletters, magazine articles, opinion pieces for the newspaper, short stories, ethnography, devotions, how-to guides, advice columns, letters to the […]
Kitchen Terms that Might Change Your Life
One of my daughters and I spend the majority of our time cooking together. We’re always in the kitchen prepping complicated recipes or challenging ourselves with a new food project (like sushi!). We love to use the French terms for our cooking space. I’ll call out, “OK! Mise en place!” Mise en place: It means […]