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Tag Archives: hope
Reflections on a Long Absence from God
(I wrote this the Saturday after the children and grandchildren left on Friday) Today I feel like a young wife returning home after a long trip, a long absence and abstinence from her husband and lover. My five grandchildren (7, … Continue reading
Defy the Darkness; Embrace the Light
I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. I love the songs, the sights, the smells, and the gatherings of friends and family. All those things make it feel like—well—like Christmas. It’s somewhat addictive. However, I hate the self-imposed, perfectionist … Continue reading
“Kintsugied”
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in…Leonard Cohen Today, I was overcome with a fit of melancholy—regretting some of the avoidance techniques I used … Continue reading
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Tagged alcoholism, anxiety, art and religion, beauty, brokenness, depression, drug addiction, hope, Kintsugi, Romans 8:28
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Is There No Balm in Gilead?
The prophet is in deep despair over the condition of his people. He cries out with deep emotion, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?” Continue reading
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Tagged balm in gilead, fear, hope, Jeremiah 8, peace, sin sick soul
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The More You Eat, the Hungrier You Get
Some time ago our pastor preached a series entitled, “Life in the Fast Lane.” It was about our need to establish margin in our lives so we can do the things that matter most. Jobs, relationships, social media, activities and … Continue reading
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Tagged hope, Slowing down, time, time management, waiting on God, walking with God, wonder, worship
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Trust
God’s word for me this year is trust. As I looked up Scripture passages that contain that word, I found that most of them are in the Old Testament. A similar word found in the New Testament is “faith.” Trust … Continue reading
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Tagged belief, disappointment, faith, hope, joy, the Christian walk, trust
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The Whipping Post
I am hard on myself. I judge myself with too many oughts, shoulds and less-thans, especially when I’m in a new phase of life—the birth of a child, moving with boxes everywhere, illness, a new job, or a new age. … Continue reading
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Tagged beating, failures and faith, faith, grace, hope, justification, lashing, mercy, righteousness, self-abuse
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Conducting the Great Story
Whenever a large group of singers raise their voices in some classical or inspirational song, I get chills and often cry. Last year I heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Utah during a practice session. It was a sound and … Continue reading
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Tagged Advent, Christmas, Conducting, Conductors, Handel's Messiah, hope, Messiah, nativity, redemption, The Story
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The Church People
My husband and I have been on the Yakama Indian reservation for the last couple weeks working with Sacred Road, a ministry started by Chris and Mary Granberry eleven years ago. Indian reservations are difficult places for ministry. The reservation … Continue reading
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Tagged Church people, hope, Indians, ministry to poor, poverty culture, Sacred Road, the Church, Yakama Nation
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An Invitation to Wonder 