I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has[…]
The week before…Preparation
One of my favorite childhood memories involves my family preparations for Easter. Now, we always dressed up for church – it was just something we did, and I still remember that first Sunday at a new church when we could wear jeans. I felt like I was breaking the law[…]
Delayed…in Lent
One of the tools I use daily is an app entitled Lectio365. It is a daily guided prayer using scripture passages from the lectionary. It’s read by some folks in England and the 24/7 prayer movement. For some reason I feel holier and smarter when I listen. At the beginning[…]
Lent – Week 1: Being Beloved
One of the more powerful moments on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is to see, experience and remember at the Jordan River the baptism of Jesus. As the Sea of Galilee empties into the Jordan, a place of remembrance has been set up for pilgrims to come and experience[…]
It Begins: Ash Wednesday & a journey towards encoutner
Disclaimer: I know many have begun following because of TJ’s Holy Land encounter. Thanks for your encouragement to him and joining him (and his dad) on this trip. At this point, I’m resuming my blogging and will do so throughout the season of Lent. I hope you’ll continue with me[…]
Doubt: Evil in the world and God, doubt, questions, worry, evil
For 3 weeks now, our world has had a front row seat for a horrendous event – the earthquake of Japan has become a rallying cry for humankind. There are millions of different voices all screaming for some hope in the midst of such a tragedy. Some use humor as[…]
What if…
“What if, today, we decided to take up Jesus on his offer to live Kingdom Lives? What if everyone did that?” I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of the Kingdom coming to earth as it in Heaven. As I read Jesus’ words and life, I’m continually convinced that[…]
Hem Notes Expanded – Lent
Yesterday was a very important day in the church calendar – Ash Wednesday. Actually, it began the Sunday before if your being a strict liturgical follower with the celebration of the Baptism of Christ. Traditionally, we celebrate the baptism of Jesus on that sunday and then the following Wednesday we[…]