This song has been messing me up. Like really messing me up. But that’s a good thing. In fact, I’m seeing a lot of good things lately. Even though a lot of those good things have initially been disguised as challenges. Challenges that have become opportunities to trust–opportunities to believe. And that’s always a good … More The Voyage
Have you ever … Had so much to say that you feel like you have nothing to say? Had so many emotions churning around in your soul that you’re not sure you’re really feeling anything at all? Been unshakeably confident and woefully insecure all at the same time? Been overwhelmed by pain yet joyfully hopeful? … More Where I’m at …
“Living life and loving Jesus in the beauty of simplicity.” That sounds good, doesn’t it? It used to be the tagline for this blog. I thought it sounded good when I first put it up and I still think it sounds good now. Unfortunately, it is also a little hard to live up to. The … More The Beauty of Simplicity? ( And the Beauty of Change)
Sometimes I’m just not sure where to land. One day I’ll be earnestly grappling with places of disconnect between what I say I believe and what my life actually demonstrates. The very next day (or even the very next moment) I’m resting in the amazing reality of the finished work of the cross. It’s been … More Audacious, Bold … and Content
O’ come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. O’ come ye, o’ come ye, to Bethlehem … Christmas is over, but I can’t stop thinking about these words. I can’t stop thinking about what it means to come – joyful and triumphant – to Bethlehem. To small, forgotten Bethlehem. The least likely of all locations, … More Joyful and Triumphant
I’m over it! No, really I am. To be more precise … I’m over ME. I’m over taking myself too seriously. I’m over caring what anyone else thinks. I’m over worrying about what I do or do not have, what I can or cannot do, and what does or does not happen. I’m over wasting … More Over It!
He takes my breath away. No really, he does. Sometimes, when I glimpse his face … the intensity of his gaze … penetrating with truth … yet filled with such merciful kindness … and such unfathomable love … I simply forget to breathe. (And it’s a good thing.) I’m in awe of him. I’m undone in his presence … And … More Forgetting to Breathe (And it’s a Good Thing)
The Apostle Paul said he “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Phil. 4:12). I don’t think I can honestly say I’ve truly learned to be “content” in every situation, but I think I am finally learning the secret of being “okay” in any and every situation. That’s because I’m learning … More Learning to Be Okay …With Not Being Okay
“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” –1 Kings 19:12 Sometimes his voice comes like a mighty rushing wind–and it’s glorious. Sometimes his voice comes like an earthquake awaking our souls–and it’s powerful. Sometimes his voice ignites our hearts with the unquenchable … More Monday Morning Musings: Gentle Whispers
“For you, normal would be a tragic loss of potential.” The words came from a strange source–a television show I had never seen before–but I knew their true Source. I had been musing about what it would be like to embrace a nice “normal” life. You know–be content with a nice little job, a nice little … More When Normal is Over
We’ve all seen the reports in the sports section. An athlete competes in a race and achieves their “personal best.” It’s not a world record. It’s not usually even a regional record. Sometimes it’s not even a school or meet record–it’s just that particular person’s best effort to date. And because it is that person’s … More Personal Best
I would loved to have seen the look on Philip’s face. First, an angel appears and tells him to head in a particular direction. Next thing you know, on foot, he is chasing down a chariot. In that chariot is an important Ethiopian official, who just happens to be reading a passage from Isaiah. A … More Dancing With the Wind
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Look my way. Lift your gaze. See the compassion in my eyes. See my open arms. See my open heart … and come. Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. Get away from the crowd. Steal away with … More The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
I’m not sure what kind of post this will end up being. I’m getting on the road in just a few minutes for a four-day whirlwind trip to see my daughter, my sister and her family, and a dear friend. I won’t have time to blog. So what ends up on this screen in the next … More Just Me, Thinking Thoughts
I’m sitting here with the seeds of a zillion ideas stirring within me. But I keep being distracted from my many swirling thoughts. I’m being distracted by the present. It’s just too beautiful outside to think about tomorrow. I’m much too distracted by today. Sometimes God gets on “themes” in my life. Well, the … More The Beauty of His Peace (a.k.a.Today, Pt. 2)
Someday I will have something profound to say. Someday I will have a great story, or great revelation, or something incredibly encouraging to share. Someday. Maybe. Someday. But today is not that day. Today is not someday. Today is, well, today. So I’m not going to try to be profound. I don’t have a really great … More Today
I’ve been attempting to write “something” every week so I’m rushing to get a few thoughts down before this weekend completely slips away. It’s been a busy week and a lot has happened. There is no way I can do justice to all that God has been doing and showing me recently in the few brief moments I have … More Taking a Walk
Cindy Powell 