Tag: inspirational

OUT OF THE CHAOS 10.20.2021

This week Dave and I are spending some quality time in Florida with our oldest daughter and her children. Dave works during the day while Emily and I hang with the girls. It’s been great! Monday we decided to go to the beach late in the afternoon so Dave could go along. Arriving at the …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.16.2021

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 …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.15.2021

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 …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 07.21.2021

Asleep at the wheel. An idiomatic statement meaning not alert or attentive. To be asleep at the wheel isn’t a statement of one actually sleeping but rather being in a state of unawares. This week, as I listened to a podcast, I had a sense that it is possible to devote time and energy to …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 05.04.2021

Jesus often withdrew by himself to solitary places to pray. He is an example to follow as I make my way through the chaos of life, asking myself, “Am I willing to depart from ordinary life to seek direction in prayer?” Yesterday I noted that before Jesus began his public ministry, he spent 40 days …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 03.17.2021

What kills trust? Perhaps there are many things but the one that came to mind today is this —- rehearsing the negative. As one blogger put it – meditating on the mess. Recently, Dave and I spent a few weeks apart. He was in Florida for one week but then returned to Indiana alone while …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 10.27.2020

4Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. 5Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. 6“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. 7He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. 8Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.07.2020

Friday I sent a message to my five most trusted friends that said: “I am not okay. Depression is knocking at the door, standing on the porch waiting for me to invite it in. I spend time with Jesus, I rehearse truth. But this is lonely and I need someone to know. I need to …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 08.31.2020

Yesterday our sermon was the second in a series entitled, “Talking Points.” The series addresses the difficult subject of politics and religion. Really! Doesn’t every family have a few topics they quietly agree to not talk about and the top two have to be religion and politics, right?! Well, Senior Pastor Jay Shetler is bursting …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 08.19.2020

Today I am going to Montana to visit my mom. As I observe people and situations, I will listen for what the Holy Spirit wants to teach me along the way and share them as my Montana musings. Thanks for joining me on this adventure! My travel day began with more adventure than I intended. …