“Behold, I am coming soon.” He says it twice in one chapter (Revelation 22:7,12). Really, Lord? I have to ask. Two thousand years and counting … “soon”? And he repeats it: “Surely I am coming soon” (vs 20). Come, Lord Jesus! my heart cries out. Come! Please! It’s not easy to wait, especially in our need. […]
Search Results for: anxiety
2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT: PREPARE AND PROCLAIM!
Christmas preparations are looking very different for me this year. Normally, I’d be baking and planning parties and strolling with friends through winter-lit gardens. But I find myself staying home to avoid unsafe contact and searching out COVID test sites, investigating state travel restrictions and counting isolation days. Because what kind of Christmas will it […]
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE STORMS OF YOUR LIFE?
A line of thunderstorms crashed through our area two nights ago. Eighty-mile-an-hour winds ripped trees out of the ground, took down power lines and severely damaged several nearby homes. As I picked my way through the debris that covered our driveway, I kept thinking, “Lord — this could be broken glass and twisted metal, bits […]
Scripture Reflection
Scripture Reflection Here I share the fruits of my personal reflection on the Word of God, whether I’m reading along with the lectionary readings for that week or exploring a particular book of the Bible. Enjoy the posts that appear below; you’ll find them with the most recent first. If you’re looking for something in […]
MOVIE NIGHT: A Lesson in Prayer from “Little Big Man”
Near the end of Little Big Man, the 1970 film with Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, and Chief Dan George, the aged medicine man—who has survived the massacre at Wounded Knee and seen victory at the Battle of Little Big Horn—prepares to die. On a high, lonely mountain he sings and dances before the god he […]
THANKS (FOR NOTHING?): LEARN THE POWER OF PRAISE
It was the week before Thanksgiving and we were anything but thankful. Everything that could go wrong had, it seemed. We were broke, deep in debt, stuck in a bad job, a thousand miles from home and expecting our second child at any time. Mother came out to help and together we cooked a turkey […]
THE POWER OF A PSALM: God’s love upholds me
This morning I am praying for a mom, a dad, and their tiny newborn who is struggling for his life. Something is terribly wrong with his heart, and their hearts are breaking, too. Everything came back in a rush when I heard it: the shock, the ambulance, the worry, the hospital, the heart-wrenching anxiety and […]
MARY & MARTHA: FINDING THAT “BETTER PART”
I always want to jump to Martha’s defense, when I read Jesus’ response to her complaint. Her sister has left her to do all the work, and the Lord seems to dismiss her worry. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried,” he says. “There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part […]
YES, JESUS CARES ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS
Jesus has a way with words. More specifically, he has a way with simple questions that get right to the point. And sometimes they get personal. For example — “Why are you anxious about clothes?” he asked not long ago as I slammed my closet door. It’s been a long time since I read Matthew […]
GROWING UP: BECOMING “FRUITFUL SOIL FOR THE WORD”
Our 18-month-old granddaughter stands ready to run, grinning over her shoulder as if to say, “you can’t get me, Grandma … but please try!” When I start toward her she squeals and runs laughing into my arms. Bliss! Children are such a gift. When our kids were her age, though, I never imagined the deep joy […]
