He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I'm holding out a treat out for our six-month old puppy who sits with great expectation. (Did you know there are "high stakes treats"? For Lena, it's a morsel of smoked chicken.) But then comes the challenge. "STAAAAY!!" I back away and stare her down while counting slowly. Our goal is five. But Lena loses... Continue Reading →
Sometimes we are reminded of God's presence through a brilliant sunset, a waterfall, the moon emerging amid a starry backdrop. Other times these reminders are more obscure, intended just for us Yesterday I was walking our new puppy through our new neighborhood feeling, well, new. Friendships have been slow to develop and family is in... Continue Reading →
Last Sunday during church, Wendy (pseudonym) leaned over to me and whispered a prayer request. Her three-month old grandson was in the hospital, struggling with a respiratory virus. "Please pray!" Then she did something unexpected. She put her hand over her mouth and said these words into her hand, "Lord, I trust you for baby... Continue Reading →
Jeanne and I used to laugh when classroom teachers were smothered in flowers during Teacher Appreciation Week, or when they amassed stacks of Starbucks gift cards during the weeks leading up to Christmas. As reading teachers working in small intervention groups, we might have received a candle that looked like it had been lit, an apple-pin slightly tarnished,... Continue Reading →
God, I pray with expectation that you will... I used to think prayers like this were presumptuous, even manipulative. He is God after all. But then I got to thinking... Jesus criticized those who doubted God's miraculous power - "Oh ye of little faith" he called them. And when Jesus did perform a miracle, he... Continue Reading →
At my Community Bible Study yesterday we read about Jesus retreating to a "desolate place" to pray. He was deeply saddened at the death of John the Baptist and we can infer He needed time with His Father to grieve and recharge. The CBS leader shared she has a friend who is fond of asking,... Continue Reading →
I struggle with insomnia. I fall asleep without issue, but my mind pops awake with important agenda items round about 2AM. My mind is a horrible boss with zero sense of humor. And it runs a bad meeting. First it has me revisiting the previous day's failings. The toddlers who cried nonstop at the the... Continue Reading →
I love asking people of faith about their practices. Cathy says she is reading through the whole Bible with the Moody Bible Commentary by her side. She also reads a daily devotional called Jesus Calling. Susie writes verses on index cards and places them on her car's dashboard and the bathroom mirror. She is memorizing... Continue Reading →
I was sneaking into the kitchen for a nighttime bowl of Cheerios when I noticed the door to my parents' bedroom was slightly ajar. That's when I caught sight of the two of them, my stately mother and proud father, their backs to me, kneeling by the bed - their faces prone on the daisy... Continue Reading →
In the midst of praying, a voice murmurs, "Really, now... you actually believe God cares about THIS? And really, now, has God truly forgiven you for THAT?" My prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling. One would think I could squelch this voice - being a decades long follower of Jesus. Lately, however, I've discovered... Continue Reading →
I am an introvert. Shy from day one. An 8th grade report card said I was an "enigma" - which I had to look up (not a compliment). If class participation was factored into a grade, I was destined for C's. As functioning adults, we introverts don't have the option of being selectively mute. Our... Continue Reading →
I am a fear-ridden flyer. I gaze out the window on high alert for birds (and now drones), other planes, dark clouds. I study the flight attendant's demeanor for signs of pending disaster. Is there relaxed banter? When they ask us to find the nearest exit, I'm counting rows and assessing the skill level of... Continue Reading →
I'm sitting on the edge of the examination table, waiting for the doctor's knock, trying in vain to spread out the paper cover-up now giving way to a generous rip, sweat induced I'm pretty sure. Today I will find out test results. I try to picture Jesus sitting on the adjacent stool, but that visualization... Continue Reading →
I used to teach first grade Sunday school with an elderly man named Mr. Chang who really should have been assigned to a room with his contemporaries. He was gruff, gray, and used a cane. He viewed crayons, stickers, and glitter pens as superfluous. And when he gave his mini-lessons, there was nothing mini about... Continue Reading →
Shadows and Shelters 