A random woman passed me today in a parking lot and gave me a beautiful compliment. After our exchange, I walked a little taller with a wider smile. Such a selfless, simple, and generous gift to give a stranger. So, later I passed a woman in a striking green outfit and complimented her style. Maybe … Continue reading Seeing and Speaking Beauty
Best wishes to each of you on this day of thanksgiving. May we feast on satisfying time with family and friends and remember those who no longer sit at the table. May we taste the love, mercy, and presence of our Triune God and remember those who are starving for the Bread of Life. May … Continue reading Thanksgiving Prayers
When I went to Mount Rushmore this summer, I took a lot of pictures. It is an amazing place and truly fascinating how these guys managed to carve out these massive monuments to four presidents. Or, wait. Maybe there were five. I think they gave us four definite faces - Washington, Roosevelt, Jefferson and Lincoln. … Continue reading The Fifth Face on Mt. Rushmore
I returned Saturday evening after eight days in the Dominican Republic working with Servant's Heart Ministries. I led a team of six others from our church. It was an amazing week of ministry, of relationship-building, of warmth! (literally since it is snowy here and sunny there). I love to travel, to immerse myself in other … Continue reading Thoughts on Dominican
Since Tuesday afternoon, our hearts and thoughts have been held captive by the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti to its core. As stories are told and media is shared, we are seeing the awful reality of the death and destruction that is the reality now for the millions that call the area … Continue reading Hope for Haiti
There are many ways to protect the dignity of individuals whose dignity is threatened by life situations. One of the challenges that we face when caring for a neighbor is the challenge to honor and respect him. Sometimes we are so focused on doing a deed or seeing a result that we trample on the … Continue reading Focus on the Person
Has it really been almost two months since I posted last? Sorry about that. It hasn't been for a lack of things to blog about but rather from an abundance of living. November was a blur but a wonderful blur. I spent two weeks in Kenya and Uganda on vacation. I have an amazing amount … Continue reading Driving in Kampala Stirred Up More Than Dust
Being home sick today gave me a lot of time to think about what today was going to be like for my youth. I was praying last night and today for you. Praying especially about the ramifications of Elizabeth Olten's murder, for the things that would be said about the accused, for the many rumors … Continue reading Elizabeth Olten and Forgiveness
Last Sunday, I gave Jesus a ride. He was a middle-aged woman with a yellow backpack and a cane walking north on Highway 63. I almost missed him. After finishing the second service at church, I was running late for a meeting in Ashland, a little town 15 minutes away. Speeding up the highway, … Continue reading Giving Jesus a Ride
Today is my 36th birthday. It has been a great 36 years and I hope for another 36 at least. I've been blessed in so many, many ways. I've had the best family anyone could dream of having. My parents are my heros in so many ways and truly my friends, my advisors, my … Continue reading It's My Birthday
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