Sometimes I forget to live awestruck. Most recently, this happened in the early weeks of 2017. I'm not sure exactly how it happens because if I knew the trigger maybe I could prevent the process. But most of the time I just find myself looking at life void of wonder. Boiling down my days to a … [Read more...]
Dyed Wood Rosary & thoughts on when God says no…
I made a dyed wood rosary a couple of weeks ago. Sounds strange even typing it: rosary. My rosary doesn’t have a capitol R or the correct number of beads. I’ve never prayed the Rosary, I wouldn’t know how, but I like having things around that refocus me in the middle of a busy day...For months … [Read more...]
Looking for Disaster
(Source: Alive) Pouring rain woke me hours before dawn. With coffee in hand, I slipped quietly onto the screen porch and settled into my comfy chair. Thank you Father for the sound of this rain-for the soft warm breeze-a respite in winter. Before I could go on a loud thought, like an … [Read more...]
Fighting Flames of Ungrace
Ungrace. That's what Phillip Yancey calls living outside of God's extravagant gift of love. I realized the other day that ungrace was burning nearly out of control in me. My Aunt Gail and I were chatting on the phone and she asked a simple question, "So, how are you?" "I'm feeling overwhelmed … [Read more...]
Gratitude or Grumbling
"Do everything without grumbling or complaining" The book of Philippians is haunting me people. I want to move on but every morning in my quiet time I'm compelled back there, over and over I keep reading and making notes. All those years ago Paul the apostle was writing his heart from prison to … [Read more...]
When joy surprises…
It's August. And as usual, it's steaming-burning-take-your-breath-away hot here in the deep south of the US. As I see it, there are a couple of ways to cope with the heat... To moan and complain is the way I normally pass the time in this muggy month. But this year I'm going to take a cue from … [Read more...]
All is Grace because All Can Transfigure
“All is grace because all can transfigure” "The demanding of my own will is the singular force that smothers out joy-" (Ann Voskamp~One Thousand Gifts)I’ve been counting gifts since I first read Ann Voskamp’s book in January. I’m finding there’s more to counting gifts than meets the eye. … [Read more...]
The remedy is in the retina…
Hang on till the end of this post for info about a One Thousand Gifts 3 book giveaway... photo: Emma G Photography "The remedy is in the retina." Ann Voskamp-One Thousand Gifts. That is my favorite take-away from the book...it's the sentence that has played over and over, no kidding, a hundred … [Read more...]
Focusing on the good things…
Thank you for all your prayers and words of encouragement. I can't tell you the impact they have on me. We aren't a part of a church right now and have no physical "Christian community", and at the risk of someone not understanding this, my friends in the online community have made a significant … [Read more...]