"Do not disdain the small. The whole of life - even the hard - is made up of the minute parts, and if I miss the infinitesimals, I miss the whole ... There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing. The moments add up." from One Thousand Gifts Yesterday afternoon I shared my the beginning of my journey back to contentment. Circumstances, situations, Scripture, devotions, sermons, conversations, and that general sense of, "How ... [Read More]
The Journey back to Contentment
"Contentment doesn't happen automatically. It takes an act of the will to decide to respond to life in a godly manner." ~ Vonette Bright "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." ~ Proverbs 15:13 I have been living with a crushed spirit for the past several months ... lots of situations and words - big and small - have weighed on my heart and mind, gradually overcoming me. I've let it happen of course. Allowed those hurts and sorrows to take root ... lost ... [Read More]
Remembering Nana Jo
Today we will celebrate and remember a life well-lived. My step-grandmother, Joann, passed away Sunday, November 7th. The first time I met Joann, she smiled the warm smile she always had, and offered me tuna fish, made - in her own words - as close as she could to the way my own Mema (who had passed away a few years before) had made it. She was a gracious, kind, generous person and though many miles separated us, whenever we spoke on the phone it was as if we had no distance or time between ... [Read More]
The Colors of Confession
Surrounded by people yet sitting alone. One question asked by a humble heart, "What do you need to surrender?" Heads bowed all around me as I breathed a simple prayer, "Lord, show me ..." Eyes closed and heart opened. I waited. Red. Blue. Green. Black. Words echoing throughout my heart and mind. Anger. Hurt. Jealousy. Sin. "Lay these down," He gently beckoned. Tears silently fell ... release sweetly followed. Laying down anger and picking up peace. Letting go of hurts, ... [Read More]
Guests at the Heart Banquet
Photo by Jenny Downing Candlelight flickered on the sparkling crystal. The room was filled with the rich fragrance of dozens of gardenias, lilacs, and roses that filled the antique vase adorning the deep mahogany table. Heavy linen napkins ornately folded stood like stately soldiers beside bone china place settings. Each setting was perfectly suited for the guest who would soon be seated in the heavy chairs. Aromas wafted through the air ... a hint of the meal that would be served. One by one ... [Read More]
Experience the Collision!
Encouraging lives where the sacred and secular collide. That's my desire for this place ... As beautiful as Erin has made it, if all that happens here is looking at lovely design elements, I think she would agree, we've failed. The grand point is not to wear the garb, nor use the brogue of religion, but to possess the life of God within, and feel and think as Jesus would have done because of that inner life. Small is the value of external religion unless it is the outcome of a life within. ~ ... [Read More]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- …
- 200
- Next Page »
