In the middle of my conversation with Michael (yes, that is his name) at the Atlanta Airport, he confessed to me that after being treated like less than a human being by the Baptist mission worker that very evening, he went to the bar. “Not only did I go to a bar, but I had … Continue reading Run to Jesus
Michael (Part 1)
While there are many moments and conversations that are favorites from my trip to the Dominican Republic, my absolute best took place in the Atlanta airport on my return trip to Minnesota. Clinics were over, church services finished, last words said, hugs given, final good-byes, prayers whispered, last supper, bags pulled from conveyor belts, more … Continue reading Michael (Part 1)
Love Again
Loss changes us. Loss takes away what we love and leaves a hole that may never get filled. Time does not heal all wounds, nor does love always happen again. Sometimes it is far easier to hold onto a beautiful memory or a special photograph than it is to be vulnerable and love again. It … Continue reading Love Again
Home
It was quite possibly the best ten days of my life. It is also equally possible that they were the most challenging, joyful, sad, beautiful days of my entire life. These fragile, fleeting moments allowed for a far more intentional dependence on Jesus as the only One who really matters and the only One who … Continue reading Home
Depths
Life is deep. And sometimes we get lost in the darkness of these depths. Every so often, I find myself feeling life so deeply, I don’t know what to do. Yesterday was another one of those days. From discovering the return of Baba’s tumor just a week post-removal, to leading the food meeting at work, … Continue reading Depths
James Winnes: A Life Well Lived
Silver everywhere. The wind is a sorrowful, tinkling silver. The rain is a wet, heavy silver. Tears running down faces are a slippery, transparent silver. It is a color of profound sadness, but it is also the color of deepest joy. Just four short days ago, a precious friend took Jesus’ hand and walked into eternity … Continue reading James Winnes: A Life Well Lived
Be
Be. This is both a passive and an active word. It speaks of being still, but anyone who has ever just been knows that it also takes an active effort to reach that state of being. Most times, I am far more of a doer than a be-er. Though I am an introvert, and appear … Continue reading Be
With
Jesus. Only Jesus. He matters infinitely more than anything else. Go with Him. Be with Him. Just be. With. Tonight the word I want to focus on is with. It’s a relational word. Feel it, taste it, try it out. What images does it conjure up in your mind? For me, this highly relational word … Continue reading With
Advent
Thanksgiving and Christmas—two special holidays that bracket a beautiful, meaningful season: Advent. I absolutely love Easter as it holds such significance for me as being the holiday that I really met Jesus for the very first time. But, an equally treasured time of the year is Advent. In a world that won’t stop talking and … Continue reading Advent
Bittersweet
Bittersweet. Until Jesus, I had no idea what that word really meant. Until Jesus, I couldn’t see sweetness in the bitter. Until Jesus, I had nowhere to take the feelings found in the bittersweet moments of life. Until Jesus, well, life just wasn’t worth living. Bittersweet. It’s that burn behind your eyes right before the … Continue reading Bittersweet
Down Here Looking Up 