Reading through the gospels recently, I've noticed something seemingly uncharacteristic about Jesus. He never came out and told His disciples, "I love you." It's true, go see! We think of Jesus as the ultimate expression of God's love, but the exacting Old Testament God was much more vocal in His expressions of everlasting love than earth-side Jesus ever was. It was not [...]
"God will not let you stay stuck." Weeks ago I read an article with this title, and ever since I have kept that Safari window open on my phone. It's a daily reminder beaming with hope when the voice in my head tells me I'm stuck. In this short post, Graham Cooke addresses seasons of waiting [...]
Isn't it the time of year when you get the hamster wheel feeling? Me too. Revisiting this (most viewed) post today to find true north and return to joy. I'd love to hear how you keep your heart alive when the laundry becomes your undoing?
On this first day of September, I say we celebrate enduring this past month. I don't know about you, but in all her humidity and heat and storms, August has mirrored (and likely expounded) the heat index on my insides. “Feels like 105,” August said as my six-year-old played her first soccer game. Oh September, [...]
All the clouds layer upon layer between the sun and here stacks and billows of rain and strange winds. Small windows of clear but always in the distance. The rain follows me and I cannot see This is not how August is supposed to be.
A fresh thought for the morning: Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as “my dear husband.” You’ll be true daughters [...]
It's time! Pencils sharpened, buses rolling, kids excited, lunch boxes... TBD. It's also become back-to-school normal for us to gather with school families the night before the first day to pray for our teachers, staff, students and parents. What a privilege to worship at the front doors of our public school; to walk around the property inviting God's kingdom [...]
In a matter of days, my youngest starts kindergarten. Probably the biggest transition of her life to date. But I’m not worried one bit about her; I’m so thankful we held her back. Now I’m confident the Molly Girl is ready. Then there’s the Mama. You guys know I’m not overly sentimental, and you know [...]
Navy silk, perfectly tailored A gift from my husband Bought for a time of rejoicing: the wedding of a dear little-sister-friend. And oh how beautifully the bride shone Surrounded by friends and family Saying goodbye to a familiar past And yes to the love of her life. “Place me like a seal over [...]
I keep coming back to these thoughts on HOW TO LIVE WITH THE UNKNOWNS, on how to hold questions in one hand and wisdom in the other. Turns out, both are promised to us. So there must be a way to live with the tension and mystery of the kingdom. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts – do you think God promises to answer our questions? How do you seek answers? What do you do with the un-answered? How comfortable are you with mystery?
“Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.” Daniel 4:9
King Nebuchadnezzer demanded interpretation of his dream OR ELSE. After all, his kingdom could be at stake! He finally found a man of true wisdom in Daniel.
Daniel said,
“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.
To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For…
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Rachel Norris 