My beloved is mine, and I am his; He pastures his flock among the lilies. ~ Song of Songs 2:16 God’s story is a love story. We can read His story in the Scripture, behold it in the seasons, wonder over it in the oceans and maybe more than anywhere else, we can catch glimpses of His great love in our relationships, the completely broken and the less broken ones. The completely broken ones point the way, even.. Read More
Praying For Peace
This kind of peace belongs to people with grit, people who trust in the middle of darkest darkness—their own or the world’s. Pollyanna wishing can’t survive here, optimism blows away in the wind.
Praying Forgiveness
Forgiveness broadens our territory, a wonderful thing and sometimes frightening as well. It can be like turning the corner on a new road, unfamiliar, our breath may shallow or halt altogether if we can’t discern whether we’ve turned the wrong way on a one way or not. Having recently moved I regularly find myself realizing that there are many places where I simply cannot see beyond my current location, I’ve.. Read More
Praying HOPE: Through The Children’s Eyes (Edition 4)
Hope can seem elusive. It’s shadows are long ones draped across the landscapes of our lives but often instead of perceiving an invitation to adventure chasing toward the light, we hesitate at the darkness of the shadows, as though it is a darkness to be avoided. Children and adventures seem to go hand in hand, they are good at leading the way. I often need their help. Before I ever had.. Read More
The Beauty of Being Known: a.k.a. “Prayer”.
“The prayer preceding all prayers is ‘May it be the real I who speaks. May it be the real Thou that I speak to.’” —C.S. Lewis Time passes by us heavy some days. Days can pass and we pass with them like we’re drawn with bowling balls tied around our ankles; not sure whether we were here or there. But, if we have the grace to notice we are here.. Read More
Beloved not Perfect: The Way to be Rooted and Grounded Even in the Strange Day We Live
We live in a strange day. Freedom seekers and protectors are portrayed and persecuted as human rights violators. A nation violates freedom while a president watches it’s baseball game. I know it’s not new, it’s all been beneath the sun before, but it’s here now, in our day. Our strange day, our call to preparedness and being a city on a hill, a light not hidden. It could seem hopeless… Read More
Three Tools for You, Because We CAN Make a Difference Today
Yesterday was Shine a Light on Slavery Day. If you logged on to any social media your feeds were likely scattered with hands displaying a red X — a symbol of solidarity that as a generation, we will work and pray for the end of slavery. Awesome. Now let’s take the next step. Three Tools For You Today: Sign this Petition. The End Modern Slavery Initiative Act could change everything… Read More
For When It’s Easier to Look Away than At the Face of Suffering
I went “prepared” to help meet our persecuted family’s needs, yet, instead they held my hands and captivated my eyes. They told me how they pray for America to experience “the blessing of persecution”. My mind has spun with confusion and questions that felt like being alone in an empty room. These times must come. Undeniably, my spirit has been hungry with anticipation that I too could grasp their secret.. Read More
Want to be Brave? Get Ready for Joy Beyond What You Can Reach.
The idea of designing The Martyrs’Cross had been in my husband’s heart for some time before we got married. However, it was just a couple months before we wed that it fully ripened and became a reality. It was a symbol to us of our purpose in coming together. We met at a Voice of the Martyrs’ conference both sure we would never marry and definitely not have any children. Well, almost.. Read More
There’s a Time to Push: Through the Children’s Eyes (edition 3)
I often hear our Heavenly Father’s voice when I instruct my children. Sometimes I don’t *get it* right away but since it’s become a common theme I try to listen carefully to what I am saying. I consider, what do I need to do with the words as well? Recently, I spoke with them about there being times we need to choose the difficult way; the times that we have to push in.. Read More