As we begin this series on mourning, I want to take you back to a time when Jesus actually wore flesh and blood, and felt and lived among us. Head back in your mind to a time when the crowds who followed Jesus were intensely human, all needy with foibles and tempers and aches and wounded hearts. Imagine with me. It […]
Survivor Songs: Introducing New October Series
“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 Join me and eleven guest bloggers as we explore the concept of mourning over the next 31 Days, as we tread a well-worn path straight towards Jesus’ heart. Sundays and weekdays will include raw, beautiful stories, deep studies of Scripture, and meaningful encouragement. Saturdays […]
Morning Meditations: Pretty Sure Jesus Gets The Mama-Heart
I am reading Matthew 14 today to the dim light of morning. There is a sliver of a moon rising with Venus guiding the way, and I am right here with Jesus in the fourth watch of the night. John has died, Jesus is heartbroken, and the crowds won’t leave him alone. Kind of like […]
The Survivor Comes Home
The following is a story from a year ago, an experience that kicked off an intense year of “coming home” in my own heart and mind. ___________________ “He’s a wonderful man,” the woman smilingly assures. Her mind is working, and compassion dawns in her eyes. “He’s a chaplain. My husband and I are very close friends with […]
The Women Who Proclaim It
The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng. Psalm 68:11, NIV yes.
“I Know You” (wednesdays in the word; john 1:40-42)
One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “we have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You shall be […]
Surely He’s The One We Should Follow (wednesdays in the word: john 1:35-39)
We all have so many teachers, so many “rabbis” upon which and upon whom we place our attention. This passage made me cry as I thought through what it really means to leave all other rabbis behind. Friends, parents, authors, counselors, professors, political pundits, news anchors, voices on the internet, health and exercise gurus, philosophers, […]
Wednesdays In The Word: John 1:29-34 (faithfulness matters)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came […]
Wednesdays In The Word: John 1:29-34 (Jesus comes, bad day and all)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I […]
When The Mama-Heart Grows Cold
Sickness abounds still. Five children slumber-partied in the living room last night, bodies strewn upon one another in the kind of harmonic intimacy that only comes after dark. Grace screamed for two hours in her crib with her Papa at her side, and I holed up in the bathroom and tried not to hear. These […]