The Garden of Salvation Haphazard. Functional. Low-Maintenance. These are all terms that describe my philosophy toward gardening. I know, as a life-long Midwesterner I’m supposed to have soil running through my veins. But the truth is, I just don’t really care for it. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in gardening as a theory. I’m … [Read more…]
“Ugh!” Wednesday afternoon I walked into my lunch meeting, found a chair at an empty table, and allowed myself to sink into it, relieved for a break from the busyness of the morning. I let out a deep sigh. As more people arrived, I noticed how each person who joined me at the table seemed … [Read more…]
“Where would you like to go?” One of my favorite innovations over the last 10-15 years is electronic navigation systems. It wasn’t too long ago you’d have to look up directions on sites like MapQuest or Google Maps if you were going somewhere you were unfamiliar with. Prior to that, in preparation for a trip, … [Read more…]
Confessions of the Pastor’s Wife: God as Cheerleader I’ve always thought of myself as something of a cheerleader. Not the pom-pom waving, pyramid building, performance artists kind you’d find on the sidelines at football games–that would require going to a football game and jumping around– two things I’m not known for. My cheerleading is more … [Read more…]
“Did You Know He Was Doing That?” A week or so before the end of the school year, the LSE choirs held a concert. Both of the boys were in choir this year and we were excited to be able to watch them perform in person. We arrived for the concert, set up our folding … [Read more…]
“Immeasurably More” Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 Last year for my birthday, I … [Read more…]
“Everyone’s Welcome?” For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 One … [Read more…]
“Our Words Matter” As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11 Something I’ve learned over the past 15 … [Read more…]
“A Pattern Developing” Have you ever had one of those weeks where you knew God was trying to get your attention about something? This week has been one of those for me. It started off with a chapter in the book our Congregation Care Team is reading together. Then I had a conversation with a … [Read more…]
“Over the Edge” Very early in the morning (Jesus) came to his disciples, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed. Just them Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter replied, … [Read more…]