Pandemic Practices: Thoroughly Savoring God’s Creation
I’m more citified than countrified. That’s not to say that the lone prairie, a chicken fried steak or a melancholy Willie Nelson ballad never dazzle me. But I’m more of a French dining and Flamenco dancing kind of girl when the rubber meets Fifth Avenue. Yet I’m becoming surprisingly passionate about one of my new pandemic practices, thoroughly savoring God’s creation. Urban Renewal So like a snake with a skin ready to be shed, the urbanite in me underwent a metamorphosis during the shut down. Exercising, shopping, dining, grooming – all that previously took place primarily indoors. Suddenly, out was really “in.” Boxed in inside our homes, my hubby and…
Detour Vs Destination: God’s Wanderers Are Never Lost
We’re all stuck in an unprecedented vortex of wheel-spinning frustration. Mankind continue to stand at a door to a formidable unknown. A biological enemy feeds our agoraphobic propensity to tuck into our homes, staring us down. It remains a sensible plan of action to protect others and ourselves, especially the highly fragile. But as we gather for battle, another adversary looms. In this oddly meandering battle of detour vs. destination, it’s clear: God’s wanderers are never lost. As spot on as that is, it’s hard to recognize this truth on a day-to-day basis. The simplest errand is a roll of the dice. Many of us long for a pre Covid…
Buried Treasure: Revisiting The Precious Gifts of God
The events of the last two weeks hang over all of us like a heavy fog now. Pandemic pandemonium. Loss of life. Destruction of property. Flaring tempers. Dashed hopes. But I managed to encounter buried treasure revisiting the precious gifts of God. Flashback to two weekends ago. The sun began to come out after months of lockdown. My husband and I rolled the proverbial dice to take a trip. We traversed cross country to celebrate his mother’s 79th birthday. We prepared, assembling an onslaught of wipes, masks and sanitizers. With sandwiches in tow and courage abounding, we survived the harrowing flights both ways. The birthday proved a great success. What…
My Sweet Surrender to God’s Game Plan
I keep thinking of “The Lion King” and the circle of life theme that runs throughout the film. Right now we’re in a different kind of loop. It’s more like a Bermuda triangle. But it has four sides rather than three. In this current scenario I’m focusing on my sweet surrender to God’s game plan. If you read the fine print of many shampoo bottles, you’ll find instructions to lather, rinse and repeat. I’ve always wondered whether shampoo companies want to sell you more product so they tell you to wash your hair twice, or if it really takes two rounds of cleansing to get the job done. Marketing or…
Pandemic Pentecost: Fanning the Flames of God’s Assurance
Unfortunately, it’s still my corona. And yours. Politicians dance about at press conferences, relaxing restrictions while reserving their right to reinstate. What assurance will we have that we’ll be safe? Ah, these days of new uncertainties. They unfold in this, our pandemic Pentecost as I’m fanning the flames of God’s assurances rather than culture’s. It’s a tad lofty, goal-wise. But I figure, why not set my sights high? I can fill up my tank with His awesome power. I love how the verse from Hebrews 11:1 lays it out. It refers to “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Presidents can’t see it. Prime ministers…
Silver Linings Playbook: How God Can Heal Us In Lock Down
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” That’s a line from the celebrated 23rd Psalm. Whenever I am getting blood drawn, or prepped for surgery, this is the Psalm I recite in my mind. I had to memorize it in school as a child. God is making all of us lie down right now, alright. Many of us are under house arrest. But thankfully in His inimitable silver linings playbook, God can heal us all in lock down. If we partner with him in it. A few weeks ago, I was listening to a teaching about a chapter in Genesis. The Lord suddenly spoke to me and said, “Are…
Lemonade From Lemons: How God Transforms Bitter Into Sweet
As we move through life, we experience an unpredictable mix of pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow. As we grow older, we become more aware of adversity and its affect on our lives. But if we recognize God’s ability to make lemonade from lemons, we see how God transforms bitter into sweet. Though it isn’t always a rollicking adventure, the process can be a fulfilling and satisfying one with the proper attitude. Approaching Life as A Lab of Learning The key to accepting the lemonade lifestyle involves adjusting expectations. This can be challenging in a world where indulgence is culturally in vogue. Alas, sacrifice is passe. People enter into relationships…
Astonishing Insights From God’s Messengers
As we journey through life, we experience a wide variety of experiences. There are the joyful mountaintop moments. We also face deep, challenging valley periods. In between the two lies a vast expanse of less dramatic day to day living. Nestled in the everyday encounters with others are astonishing insights from God’s messengers. Our messengers don’t necessarily arrive decked in wings. And they may or may not be angels. But they are appointed by God to speak truth, encourage and guide us to do God’s will. I would like to share a few of the encounters I’ve had of this kind. I’m hoping these stories will prompt you to recognize…
Twisting Away From God’s Plans
Who doesn’t rejoice over the beautiful, abundant seasons with God? We feel so in synch when we are reasonably happy with our circumstances and in harmony with His plans and purposes. But before we know it, we find ourselves running with scissors, twisting away from God’s plans. How on Earth did we end up there? How does one end up going from cloud nine to the bottom of the abyss?Out of our deep love for the Lord comes a desire to please Him and do what He asks us to do, at least in general. But there are times in our walk when He makes it clear He wants us…
Serendipity: Falling Through A Trap Door of Blessing
You may know the old Irish blessing “May the road rise up to meet you.”May you succeed on the road” is the literal meaning. The song goes on to mention a desire for more favorable winds to blow from the rear rather than in head-on fashion. There’s a petition for sunshine to warm the face and for lavish rains to fall on the thirsty outlying fields. The closing line asks God to hold the traveler in the palm of His mighty hand. Yet Life hands out its share of lemons. It’s not likely you’ll be traipsing carefree through the land of Oz indefinitely. It is, however, possible to encounter the…
