Sunday morning our church had baptism. In two services, there were twelve people who said yes to Jesus and, in front of hundreds of others, took part in Christian baptism. It is a public testimony of an individual’s desire to follow Jesus. Before the baptisms, the individuals shared a brief testimony of their personal commitment …
Out of the Chaos
Inspiration for living outside of the chaos.
Occasionally I come across something I wish would not end. It might be some food or drink that is absolutely incredible, a great movie or book, a perfect evening under the night sky or a great interaction with a friend. It seems more often I am eager for something to end. It might be a …
Somewhere along the way I learned, as a parent, it was easy for me to over promise and under deliver. I made commitments I couldn’t keep. Likely, this has as much to do with the way I am put together as anything. I hate to disappoint anyone so I am eager to please. I want …
Peace. Is peace the absence of conflict? Or is it, perhaps, something more substantive than that? I am sure I am not the only one who has gone to some sort of event — for many it is a family gathering — under the guise of peace. The goal is to eliminate arguments, fist fights …
In the overnight hours, the scripture from Isaiah 9 promising a Messiah, someone to carry my burdens and set me free, ran through my mind. Isaiah foretells the birth of a child followed by qualifying phrases that describe what the Messiah will accomplish and the kind of person he will be to his people. The …
In my journeying on Friday, I happened upon a young girl carrying a backpack. She was a very slight person, in her teens, with long slender arms that hung at her sides, her finger tips resting on equally slender legs. Her backback was nearly half her size and it hung on her like a burden, …
A few days ago, a friend shared that she didn’t know if she could relate to someone who was dealing with grief. She had never experienced this type of loss, so could she relate? I encouraged her that, indeed, she could relate! She may not have experienced exactly the same loss in the exactly the …
As I prepared to write this post, I took a few minutes to read a friend’s Caring Bridge update. She just received her final immunotherapy treatment for the cancer she discovered last year. I celebrated with her as she shared, “IT IS FINISHED!” Today, I invite you to celebrate with me as I say, “IT …
September. What does that mean to you? It seems it slipped in quietly without any word or warning. It was just here. When I was growing up, it meant school started. We always had one last summer hurrah camping with family in a remote, primitive campground. No running water, electric, showers or indoor plumbing. There …
Three years ago I started this blog. The post today is reprinted from my beginning days of writing. Friday as I was writing, my reading took me to Psalm 46, quoted at the end of this post. It invited me to pause again and remember that God is God and I am not. I hope …
Out of the Chaos 