Being rid of anxiety and living in the present, today. Part 1- There is something in the air right now, and it is difficult to get a way from it. It hangs around like an unpleasant odor that won’t go away, even with the best attempts of masking it. Anxiety and stress have come up …
Month: April 2014
Beautiful things are made to be shared
Our lives intersect each other’s and we never know where a “chance” meeting may lead or the impact we may have on another. What happens when an atheist from another country, an average college student, a normal mom, and a deaf child’s world all collide? Simple things matter and can change the whole direction of things… About this …
Just a Glimpse of What?
Can one simple thing or act really make a difference? We see it all the time- the impact of one. One quick heroic act saves a life or one kind word, transforms someone’s day. How can my life make a difference, even through the simple things? Recently, I vividly witnessed the ripple effect of one — unfortunately, …
He is With us!
Day 40 of Lent, Psalm 46: God wants to be with us? That feels a little strange. Why would God want to be with us? When someone we love or respect wants to spend time with us or be with us it makes us feel loved and valued. The God of the universe wants to be …
The Silence in the Waiting
Day 39 of Lent, Psalm 45: “It is finished.” Jesus breathes His last breath. The earth mourns and groans with a quake and the splitting of stones. The curtain tears in two. Now it is finished. Now, is silent. With a gasp and a pregnant pause, every whisper can be heard. The silence is deafening, …
Favored, Not Forsaken
Day 38 of Lent, Psalm 44: There are times that feel dry, lonely and empty. There may be nothing really ”wrong.” We may have family, school to finish, work and friends, even. Though life is full, it also feels desolate, like a desert. God feels distant, unreachable, as if He is hiding. Have you experienced …
Trapped in Misunderstanding
Day 37 of Lent, Psalm 43: Have you ever been falsely accused? Kids point their finger at their sibling, while their sibling points right back and says, “I did not! You did it.” Our first and most natural response to accusations or being misunderstood has probably not changed that much since we were kids. It …
The Pain and Hope in Rejection
Day 36 of Lent, Psalm 42: Have you ever experienced rejection? I imagine you have. It is one thing, when the rejection is from an acquaintance or someone you don’t know very well, and it is another thing, when it from someone close. Have you have been rejected by a family member, a friend, or …
The Great Rescue from the Pit
Day 34 of Lent, Psalm 40: When my oldest son was 3, we had a run in with a rattlesnake. Even though it was almost 15 years ago, I can still see the whole thing in slow motion played out in my mind — the snake striking up out of the brush from the corner …
Two steps forward, one step back
This is Ally’s story, a very recent graduate from Texas A&M- I too, love the story of Elijah, so I am glad she is sharing it. Ally was in a study I lead one year, and I always appreciated her great smile, and her way of caring for people! Following Jesus is hard. And many …
Making the Most of my Days: Investing or Spending?
Day 33 of Lent, Psalm 39: Some days seem too short. There isn’t enough time to get the things done that I want to get done. Unexpected interruptions and glitches in the day make me wish I had more time. Other days feel too long. I want evening to come in order to get the …
Hope is a Noun. How can I can possess it when things feel Hopeless?
Day 32 of Lent, Psalm 38: The unusual ice and cold temperatures left me a little discouraged this winter; not because I don’t like the cold, but I like my plants, and they were not fairing well. It did not look hopeful, for many of them looked, rather… dead. Also, after making an investment: spending …
Sustaining Power
Day 31 of Lent, Psalm 37: I don’t know how I survived, but there were no cool coffee shops in the late 80’s in my college town, that I remember. No lattes. No caramel macchiato. No dark roast coffee. I didn’t even know of such things; and I didn’t know at that point, how much …
Finding Refuge
Day 30 of Lent, Psalm 36: Are you in need of a break or some rest? As the end of the semester winds down (or maybe, “up” for you), are you feeling overwhelmed or stressed? Possibly, you are feeling burdened with the issues in your life and you are needing some relief. Whether the reasons …
Oh Yeah, “Why am I giving this up for Lent?”
Day 29 of Lent, Psalm 35: I always prided myself as one who had very good eyes — eagle eyes I would think. When my doctor told me as a child I had 20/10 vision, I gave myself a little pat on the back (as if I had anything to do with it!). However, something …