Birds fly. Dogs run. Fish swim. Rabbits hop. What about us? The ones who were created to rule over all the animals of the earth? Human beings strive.

Peter, the Rock, was busy about the Father’s business.  The church was being built just as Jesus said!  But that busyness brought Peter to an unwanted place. 

Chained.

Cold.

Frustrated.

Alone.

Wounded.

There he sat.  He was guarded by four squads of soldiers. A brood of 16 men, enough to guard one prisoner and cell door, and even take shifts through the night.

Summer has finally arrived in the Northeast! The skies flood us with afternoon showers or spread their glorious rays of sunshine for the Vitamin-D-deficient to enjoy! June through August, we dream of having a more relaxed schedule, enjoying the flash of fireflies, grabbing that new book placed on the shelf since Christmas, and relaxing with family. I love the casual and less demanding days of summer. Who is with me? 

“Are you ignorant!?” Suddenly the man’s voice seemed to be louder than it was just moments ago. As my face went warm I felt every eye in the store turn my way. Being an employee, leaving was not an option.

The summer season is upon us. School is out and summer camps have begun. Fruits and veggies are piled high at the local Farmer’s markets and of course, there are watermelons everywhere! When you see them displayed in hot tub-sized bins at the grocery store, you just know that it feels like summer.

Intentionality requires forethought, process, execution, and follow-up.  No matter what task we attempt to tackle, intentionality will take the endeavor from the first stage to completion.  UN-intentionally, we can become lax in our efforts.  We may procrastinate, worry, or even forget to forge ahead and intentionally work on the assignment set out in front of us.

As some of you, we are currently finishing up the spring sports season with a few of our kids. My husband and I have willingly accepted a coaching position for our daughter’s soccer team. My husband is also helping to coach a baseball team that 2 of our boys are on. As we have been back and forth to soccer fields and baseball fields I am constantly reminded of being on a team.

Clamor [n] - a loud and constant noise, especially that of people shouting vehemently. [v] of a group of people, shout loudly and insistently. 

The other day I found myself bombarded by sound. After a week filled with meetings and conference calls, and even time spent with family and friends, I needed a break from the sound. I desperately sought silence and a semblance of peace. I can’t remember the last time I craved the quiet so fiercely.

Whenever a thunderstorm travels through, it’s like all five of our senses come alive. We can feel the ground shake as the thunder rolls or when the wind blows, we can see the lightning mark up the sky.  We can even smell the rain as it drops from the clouds above.

The other night, I was fed up with the disarray in my closet and set out to make it better.  After weeks of travels and add in the daily laundry ritual, my wardrobe needed my full attention.  To begin this task, I asked the Lord for forgiveness. As women, we may tend to hang on to things too long. 

Why God? Why me? Why MY family? Why MY health? Why MY job? Why now? Why? Why? Why? I can guarantee we’ve all said one of these phrases at least once, maybe many times. There’s so much we don’t understand; so much suffering everywhere we turn; so much injustice; so much that’s not fair. There are some people who just seem to take one hit after another.

As a little girl, one of my favorite moments of the year was when my friends and family would gather to celebrate my birthday. Adorned in a plastic birthday tiara, I would smile from ear to ear as they sang “Happy Birthday” to me before I blew out the candles.

I love to check out a good yard sale or go to a thrift store to see what treasures I can find. Sometimes, I find a unique piece of furniture like an old farmhouse table, chairs that have character, or other little treasures that call out to me.  When a piece captures my attention, I instantly see the potential for it to be something beautiful and can easily envision a place for it in my home.

Compassion - from ecclesiastical Latin compassio(n-), from compati - ‘suffer with’

The week had been a long one. In all matters of work, family, personal, ministry - each had taken a toll during this time. Perhaps you have been there too where you feel a heaviness from the load you are carrying and are waiting for at least one area in life to give you a chance to catch your breath

Mary approached the garden. Her heart was heavy and her pace slowed by the grief and confusion carried within her heart. How could death bind the One who freed her? Didn’t He say that He would rise? Her mind and soul, though full of unanswered questions and heavy sorrow, felt hollow and… EMPTY. 

“Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way. “ 1 Peter 3:15, (Living Bible)

I have always been an Easter girl. As an Easter girl, I have been all-in with woven Easter baskets filled with brightly colored plastic grass, masterfully dyed eggs, hollow chocolate bunnies, and jellybeans galore.

Gardens are beautiful. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be found anywhere and everywhere. There are gardens full of flowers and herbs and gardens overflowing with fruits and vegetables. The gardener is the creator of whatever is planted in the soil. He or she gets to create a work of art!

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.” Exodus 34:29

Meeting face-to-face makes a difference. While technology has come a long way providing tools to allow us to communicate at a distance - even by video, it does not truly replace the connections and understanding that is more effectively communicated when you are face to face.