Lent is a tradition in some churches where worshippers conduct some sort of fast, or abstinence, during the 40 days leading up to Easter. It begins with a ceremony where the worshipper has ashes smudged on their forehead, signifying death. It’s meant to focus the heart on repentance and sorrow for sin. But when I … Continue reading Resurrection People
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Why Did the Angels Leave?
Sometimes I wonder why angels left the love and beauty of heaven. How could they abandon such goodness? They were created into wholeness and perfection, surrounded by glory, given power and purpose. And yet, the Bible tells us that a third of them gave it all up to follow Satan and his cruel ways. Adam … Continue reading Why Did the Angels Leave?
A Box of Our Own
“It must be him.” His eyes shifted to the messenger standing uncertainly in the doorway, his mind spinning frantically at the memories. Of the party, the dancing. His foolish oath. “It must be John the Baptist, risen from the dead!” The messenger bowed and backed away as Herod clenched his fist. Herod, who had killed … Continue reading A Box of Our Own
The Middle of Somewhere
I live in the Middle of Nowhere. Well, kind of—depending on where you're from, I guess. I live in the land of lakes and forests on the far northern edge of America, far from everything that makes the nightly news. Our newspaper is filled with high school sports and fishing reports rather than shootings and … Continue reading The Middle of Somewhere
Jesus First
As we start to gain a bit of traction in this new year, a trend keeps popping up online: choosing a word for the year. This idea isn't new, but has become more prevalent lately. The exercise of finding your word is meant to guide you; to keep you focused on your goals. In the … Continue reading Jesus First
You Never Know
Here we are in 2025. Are you as surprised as I am? And truthfully, are you afraid of what’s coming our way in this next year? The dawning of a new year used to bring hope. Determination to do better. Plans to make it our best year yet. But ever since Covid-19 upended the world, … Continue reading You Never Know
We Thank You, Lord
For peace that keeps our hearts soft in a raging world; for ferns unfurling in the forest damp; for a glance and smile across the aisle, we thank you, Lord. For comfort that strengthens us in the face of fear; for ancient words that nestle deep; for moonlight’s caress in midnight hours, we thank you, … Continue reading We Thank You, Lord
A New Word
“I have a word for you,” my sister said. We carry the DNA of our vocabulary-loving father, who enjoyed puzzling us with unusual words as we gathered around the dinner table growing up. His influence was strong. The word she shared was “marcescence”, and it describes a tree’s leaves that cling to the branches, dead, … Continue reading A New Word
Election Season
Our presidential election is finally here for those of us who are United States citizens. To say that this election season has been ugly would be a vast understatement. As I considered how to cast my vote, I was struck by how seriously many of us take it. Any one vote won’t decide who will … Continue reading Election Season
What to Wear
I have one sibling, a sister five years older than me. All of my life, I've looked up to her fashion choices. She chose a financial career in the city that required a fashionable wardrobe, while I mothered in a small mountain village in tee shirts and jeans. So whenever I had an event that … Continue reading What to Wear
A View of the Lake 