The Fallacy of Fear
Fear moves people to do stupid things. It is in and of itself a dangerous fallacy. Fear provokes anxiety, anxiety cripples. FEAR NOT. Fear strips rational thought. It hoards the unnecessary and stockpiles the ridiculous. FEAR NOT. Fear is a fallacy. A fallacy is a mistaken belief. I choose faith over fear. My faith believes in someone higher, bigger, stronger, and wiser than fear. My faith believes in a love that conquers, captures, and casts out fear. FEAR NOT. Don’t believe the fallacy of fear – believe in the reality of love. FEAR NOT my friend, LOVE NEVER FAILS!
When the World is Off Kilter
Do you remember playing with spinning tops growing up? Those glorious toys that you could spin and watch tilt this way and that way. The toy would spin in perfect symmetry for as long as we wanted it to. The gorgeous spinning colors captured our senses and left us in a state of awe and wonder. Truthfully, the best thing about this toy was that the user was in control of the spinning. With a flick of the wrist you could set it off on its merry way, and then you could stop it by placing your hand on top of it. This last week we’ve watched our world spin…
Build: Bridges
It is amazing how many people get nervous when crossing bridges. I was in sunny Jacksonville, Florida last week and was reminded of this by two relatives. These two individuals do NOT like bridges at all. Whether it is due to past trauma, fear of heights/falling, or simply not liking the fact that you are crossing a body of water on a manmade structure – bridges are problematic for a LOT of people. I happen to like bridges. I think they are remarkable symbols of reconciliation. The fact that I can leave one landmass and travel to another landmass that is separated by water fascinates me. Two things separated by…
Between Sisters: Listening, loving, and lessons from Ruth
My biological sister, Monica and her good friend Beth began a dramatized journey that they entitled “Between Sisters” about twenty years ago. These two phenomenal artists have inspired countless other women to examine their cross-cultural relationships. Their work still inspires me today. Hence, the title of my latest article for CBE’s Arise Blog “Between Sisters: Lessons on Reconciliation from Ruth”. I submit that to you today for your Monday motivation. I’d love to hear what you think of it. https://www.cbeinternational.org/blogs/between-sisters-lessons-reconciliation-ruth?platform=hootsuite
Build: Willingness and Obedience
The bible is full of ordinary people being asked to do extraordinary things by God. Page after page of utter ridiculousness. Build a huge boat that holds two of every kind of animal AND my family? Cross over the Red Sea? Kill a giant? March around a wall? Hang out in a pit with lions? Virginal birth? Just Utter Ridiculousness! Yet, there it is, the Word of God to the people of God. Have you ever had God ask you to do something that seemed utterly ridiculous? I have. On multiple occasions. Once, I was asked to accept a job that I was clearly overqualified for. I knew it and…
BUILD: Logos and Language
Oftentimes when we receive instructions from God it is difficult to know where to begin. With God, there is typically no blueprint and no carefully laid out 5-year strategic plan. It’s usually just one word, phrase, image, or scripture. As I’ve said before: THIS CAN BE FRUSTRATING! However, if you understand that the sovereign God wants you to trust Her in all things than you learn to accept the instructions willingly and obey (don’t miss next week’s post on Build: Willingness and Obedience). Dependence on God to order our steps is Discipleship 101. Foundational right? Wrong! It is FORMATIONAL. It is ongoing and I feel like it keeps getting more…
2020 Update
Hello to everyone in the blogosphere! Thanks for staying engaged with me in my pursuit of shalom! 2019 was an AMAZING year. There were times when I was overwhelmed at the depth of Gods love towards me. He allowed me space and time to heal and grieve. Not only that, but He did it through the outlets of travel and writing. The fact that I never lacked one thing is a testament to the One who provides all things. WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE! So naturally, when you come out of a miraculous season the question becomes – Okay God, What’s next? Where do we go from here? I’ve…
A KING IS BORN
Today we celebrate the birth of our King. It’s odd to think of a baby as destined to save the world. But we know He was cause He saved us and is saving us. This baby was God wrapped in flesh. God stepped down into our world to feel what we feel, laugh as we laugh, cry as we cry, and experience life on earth as we know it. He cared enough to want to understand. He cared enough to put aside His divinity to experience our humanity. What King do you know who would leave a lavish mansion with all its glitter and glory; to be born a refugee…
Beautiful Lights
Have you ever missed something that was right in front of you? You were searching for something grand and majestic, yet missing the beauty that was right there all along. Recently, this occurred to me during Thanksgiving weekend. The family decided to ride around looking at Christmas lights. Like any place, there are some famous spots for “light peeping”. Well, it was cold and rainy that night and the usual locations were not very impressive. So, someone suggested an old, well-known park that has been there forever. We ride up and see the most inspiring light display. We get out in the rain and mud and make our way under…
What’s Coming is Greater than What’s Been
Once again we embark on another holiday season. Coincidentally, I, along with many of my family and friends, am in a season of transition. We are standing at the precipice of change. We are searching for new jobs, new directions, waiting for news of a promotion, or coming to the end of a sabbatical. Not knowing what comes next can be a highly uncomfortable and downright scary place to be in. Years ago, God’s people found themselves in a similar situation. They knew the promised Messiah was coming. They just didn’t know WHEN. Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation…