Remembering Joy

A day of preparation for the celebration to come… A day of remembrance and prayer so that we might understand better that which we are celebrating–a country built on freedom. I relish this pause in our busy schedules so that we might remember, as a country, all of our history. This scene, painted in 1897,…

Drifting and planting seeds

Resting in the shade… Escaping the heat of the day. Each in their private meditation. Lost in thoughts… Drifting… We’re living in topsy-turvy times, and I think that what causes the topsy-turvy feelings is inadequacy of old forms of thought to deal with new experiences…you have to stop and drift laterally for a while until…

A Balm in Gilead

OK, so it has been a rough week–and maybe even a rough month. I have been suffering long enough that I’m beginning to wonder if I will ever be completely whole again… Nothing that serious. It will pass and there will be healing, but it has caused me to pause with more compassion in my…

Creating Your Picture of Paradise

Have you ever stopped to envision your picture of Paradise? Since, as Christians, it is our ultimate goal, it might be healthy for our soul…to get a clearer picture of our future home and along the way we might uncover important sign posts of how to create a more heavenly atmosphere around us. I’m not…

Changing the Vibration

Somehow I keep allowing Satan to get his punches in on me… I keep allowing him to give me these total body blows to my self-esteem and positive attitude. Sometimes it happens in one great big sucker punch bringing me to my knees as I become blinded by emotional and spiritual pain. But most times,…

Virgin Dreams

In light of recent events in the news that remind us that there are predators who take advantage of young women’s dreams… I became attracted to this painting by John Everett Millais called “Eve of St. Agnes.” It is a painting that endeavors to capture on canvas a moment expressed in a poem by John…

Umbrella Trends

My Process Most weeks, when I sit down to write my blog, I have know idea where the Spirit will take me. I have found it very helpful to have the framework of a series to latch onto and sometimes this will mean that I have a list of points I would like to make throughout…

Sabbath Rest

This painting by French artist James Tissot (1836-1902) really captured my attention this week. I loved all the little details he chose to pack onto his canvas. It seems to me that he might have been trying to capture a quiet Sunday afternoon in his home. A woman is shown reclining and reading a newspaper…

Abundant Rest

Out of Control/In God’s Hands Since I am someone who frequently has trouble sleeping, I am impressed by people who can fall into a heavy sleep while the world rushes by all around them. To let go of all concerns…to turn off the mind and fully “crash” into sweet oblivion. To not worry about what…

Faith Unshackled: Back to the Basics

This week as we continue our Summer blog tour of Unshackled Faith, Ryan Lassiter inspires us to simplify our faith practices. His blog reminded me of this painting by Vermeer of Christ at the house of Martha and Mary which highlights the tensional pull that we are called to stillness and service. ~ May God’s…