March 1, 2011 I understand where Teresa was coming from. Let me open my diary and reveal some words I wrote during one of the most difficult times of my chronic illness, when I could barely walk, move, or talk. “Are you even there, Lord?......
November 8, 2010 This quote by Teresa of Avila in the 1500′s shows that our struggle with God and suffering is nothing new. One of my spiritual mentors, Amy Carmichael, also wrote about it during the early 20th century. For the last two decades of......
November 21, 2011 I hear you, Patsy! I’ve experienced this when: Someone has confronted me about one of my weaknesses. Ouch! I’ve stepped on the scale and realized that BIG changes need to happen. Yikes. I’ve realized I need to exercise more or make nutritional......
August 9, 2010 I love how God speaks to us in the most mundane of circumstances. I was taking the trash out to the side of our house (definitely mundane!), and as I glanced into the back yard, I literally did a double-take. There, on......
Centering prayer is one of the “spiritual disciplines“ that can be powerful in your experience with God. It’s actually an ancient practice within the Christian church from centuries past. These practices are described in detail in the wonderful book by Adele Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook. Here’s my......
It was a surreal, supernatural experience amidst the most ordinary of circumstances. I was in a meeting where many different people were telling about outstanding aspects of their past work year. And so guess what was going through my mind? Thoughts of comparison…thoughts of competing:......
Coronavirus stress! Where can we go to hide? My husband and I were late, rushing to catch a train in Florence, Italy. A hectic crowd pressed in all around us in the busy station, to the point that I thought I might get hurt. John......
February 27, 2012 Every person is a unique creation of God…His masterpiece. You are a unique creation of God…You are His masterpiece. Like every snowflake, each human being is distinctly different. God has imbued you with unique strengths, qualities, perspectives, and talents. So why is......
September 19, 2011 “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). Do you take time to savor what is good in your life? Do you notice things of beauty as you go through your day? Whether it’s a simple......
February 7, 2011 So says a recent study by Dr. Robert Emmons at the University of California, Davis. So in 2011, what if we all decide to form a strong habit of expressing gratitude. At the end each day, as we lay our heads on......