Is the mind of Christ a scarcity or abundance mindset? All nine grandchildren came over the other night. They played indoors and outdoors until after dark and filled our place with joy and energy. The next morning I looked down from my upstairs window at the fort the kids had built the night before. It looked as though they had either set a big board on top of a bunch of daffodils, smashing the flowers in such a way that... Read more
Easter reminds us of the love of God and new life. I don’t claim to be an expert on theology, and the older I get, the less certain I am about most doctrines. But I have been trying to follow God for 50 years now. At age 8, I recall feeling incredibly close to God and wanting to be baptized. At age 9, I kept a journal of what I felt were God’s words spoken to me. A strange, serious... Read more
A family trip to Red River Gorge, a famous rock-climbing spot in Kentucky, reminded me of some important truths. My husband guarded behind me, and my adult children hauled me upward, but still I had to find the footholds and small ledges in the rocks to pull and push from, forcing my legs to into angles they haven’t formed in years. I remembered the verse in Psalm 139:5 (NIV): “You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand... Read more
I’m the worst at trying to go it alone. An introverted artist, I prefer to work on my writing and my art in solitude. That’s okay for some situations, but for others, we desperately need collaboration. We need each other because in many ways, we are one, and we cannot be whole without sharing life together. As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head... Read more
Most probably we are in Eden still. It is only our eyes that have changed. —G. K. Chesterton Spring Fever I’m so excited about spring. Every year it happens again, but I am like a small child who never tires of jumping into her parents’ arms. I can’t wait to get outdoors. A couple of years ago, I started going out weekly with a group of plein air painters. We all love to set up our easels out in... Read more
Praying, preaching and protesting fill the lives of the beautiful women I am blessed to have as friends. They hold the world together as far as I can tell. Too Much Fear Too much of 2020 and now 2021 has been characterized by dread, fear, dwelling on the negative and separating ourselves from one another. Some of the physical separation is necessary because of COVID, but dwelling on the negative and often false narratives we hear about various groups in... Read more
How would Jesus tell the story of the Good Samaritan if he were incarnate in the 21st century? Ideas filled my head as I thought about creating artwork to provoke compassion and also challenge my Christian friends to be peacemakers in a divided world. As I started this piece I struggled with fear of criticism in even approaching such a topic. Choosing a Modern Day Good Samaritan As I began to paint, I took out my emotions on the... Read more
This story is based on memories from last year when my 90-year-old mother contracted COVID-19. Last month we celebrated her ninety-first birthday, for which I’m thankful, but we were not able to give her any hugs. My prayer is that we can all hug again soon. Stress Dreams Lost! I woke up in a panic, filled with guilt because I had fallen asleep before finding the little girl who bolted out of my class. Why was that child in my... Read more
It was January of 2011, and I was enjoying my teaching position at a University in Northern Cyprus. That side of the island is a Muslim region, but it’s also an island culture, so it’s an interesting mix. Most of the women don’t cover their heads, but some do. In my new teaching position, smiles from the students made my day. A Surprise in the Hallway One afternoon as I was on my way to class, a couple of Muslim... Read more
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68 The Wolf in the Basement I remember being in the basement of my childhood home, trying to process what I had just heard. My brother had a rare form of lung cancer and was terminal. I had to be alone, so I went downstairs and cried out... Read more
Learning to Love God by Loving Others
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