Simple Faith?

I’m confronted every time I log into my own blog. It’s right there at the top–a declaration of the blog’s purpose … Simple Faith:  Living life and loving Jesus in the beauty of simplicity. It sounds good. And, in fact, it is good … When it’s true. But often it isn’t. While that craving for simplicity is … More Simple Faith?

A Fragrant Offering

“I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”  –2 Samuel 24:24   I’ve been engaged in a tug-of-war. But I knew I would lose even before the battle began. He’s bigger than me. He’s stronger than me. He’s wiser than me. And he knows what’s best for me. … More A Fragrant Offering

Uncomfortably Close

The corner of the coffee table was digging painfully into my knee. My left arm was completely numb. My right arm, contorted at an unnatural  angle, was well on its way to the same state. My neck was stiff; my back and feet ached. I was beginning to sweat … No, I wasn’t engaged in a torturous … More Uncomfortably Close

Emerge and Converge

Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. –Amos 3:7  We know in part and we prophesy in part. –1 Cor. 13:9  Your plans are emerging. We see, yet we don’t. We know, but not in full. Unveiling and unfolding; Revealing and beholding.   The unseen, will be … More Emerge and Converge

God is Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,and if I have a faith that can move mountains,but have not love, I am nothing. If … More God is Love

But God …

Today I’m feeling weak. That in itself isn’t at all unusual, but today I am feeling unusually weak. Weak in body, weak in my heart, mind, and resolve. But in my weakness, He is strong. Today I don’t feel like I can “keep on keeping on.” I don’t feel like I can get up and … More But God …

Break.Through.

Breakthrough.  Break-through. BREAK. THROUGH. It has a great sound to it, doesn’t it? break·through. (brkthr)  n. 1. An act of overcoming or penetrating an obstacle or restriction. 2. A military offensive that penetrates an enemy’s lines of defense. 3. A major achievement or success that permits further progress.   I like them all. I want them … More Break.Through.

Nevertheless …

“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” –Luke 5: 4 Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing … We’re tired. Can’t you see we’ve done everything we know to do? We did our very best. We worked hard. We used our gifts and abilities. We gave it our … More Nevertheless …

Thank You

My brain is on spin cycle. The Holy Spirit has been pouring in so much; doing so much. In my mind, there are a zillion sound bites clamoring for airplay. They are competing with half a dozen opening lines of posts that are mentally “in process.” Floating in between it all–mental snapshots of so many amazing and miraculous … More Thank You

Yes

“Oh Lord, please, see the ‘yes’ in my heart!” Things hadn’t gone quite the way I’d expected or hoped. I wasn’t sure what God’s plan was anymore, but I was  sure I wanted to be a part of his plan no matter what it looked like. I needed to be sure he knew that. But of course … More Yes

Do You See Him?

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” –Isaiah 43:19 I ‘ve been hearing a lot of references to this verse for years. “New things” have been rumbling for awhile now. But this season … More Do You See Him?

O’ Jerusalem

As I’m posting this, I’ve been “home” in Israel for nearly a week. Right now, we are in Migdal at a lovely little prayer and retreat center overlooking the Galilee. Today is Shabbat (the Sabbath–Saturday) and we’ve had a beautiful and prayerful day.  Tomorrow we will make the journey “up” to Jerusalem where we’ll stay for … More O’ Jerusalem

A Christmas Prayer

  Dear Father,   Thank You for the priceless gift of Your Son. This Christmas I pray that the miracle of the Incarnation—that God became flesh and dwelt among us—will be birthed anew in my heart. Open my eyes to see with fresh insight.  Let me come to You with the faith and trust of a … More A Christmas Prayer