A few weeks ago, a friend posted the following on Facebook. It was immediately convicting and heart-breaking. Here’s the quote: “When we are busier than God requires us to be, we do violence to ourselves…Thomas Merton understood this and…
True confessions: I am a planner. I’ve learned to be more flexible over time. Considering the life we have led, one can’t plan too far in advance. So, I don’t do goal-setting, or I’d spend my life totally frustrated.…
I’m finding myself more aware than ever, and, definitely on the alert for the following things: Camp Robber #1: Unrealistic Expectations Camp Robber #2: Unreasonable Questioning Camp Robber #3: Unplanned Waiting Camp Robber #4: Unforeseen Circumstances However, there is an even sneakier…
I probably should have waited on last week’s blog about “unplanned waiting.” I’d written it early (like a day too early), before leaving to surprise my grandson for his 8th birthday party. The next day was essentially a day…
Camp Robber #1: Unrealistic Expectations Camp Robber #2: Unreasonable Questioning Camp Robber #3: Unplanned Waiting I’ve spent my share of time in waiting rooms. I don’t like them! In a waiting room, we hover between now and not yet.…
Last week we identified Camp Robber (Joy Robber) #1: Unrealistic Expectations. This week, Camp Robber #2: Unreasonable Questioning Here’s a situation that came up this week: A restructuring of a retreat at which I’d been asked to speak next…
Last fall when Bay and I took a Sabbath Day and drove up into the mountains, we stopped along the way to picnic. The entire time, we fought off cute-little-birds that tried to steal our food right off the…
This week’s blog looks back at last week’s bible verse of focus: Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy (Proverbs 12:20). I zeroed in more on “personal peace.” Without…
I really dislike conflict. Of.Any.Kind. I’ve spent most of my life avoiding it. It’s been my mindset that conflict is bad, and it’s better to just walk away from engaging in any shade, or color, of discord. This comes…
I had a bit of a joy-jolt this week while contemplating Galatians 5:22 (where Paul lists for us the fruit of the Spirit). I totally get that joy (or any of the Spirit’s fruit) is a Gift of Grace.…