Category: Spiritual

  • The power of vulnerability with preteens

    The power of vulnerability with preteens

    Last year we joined a wide age range kids camp. It’s was chaotic. Much like our classic community, Tohu vabohu. Formless as it was before God brought order into the world. The adults were caught off guard, without clear boundaries in such a diverse social setting. And we left the camp last year as if…

  • It’s Monday

    It’s Monday

    Prayer warriors, join me.  The battle is on. This week, the much awaited file is opened by the case manager, for review, for completion. I pray for a willing heart. Not a slighted one. I pray for open doors of their own. To find the people they need, to get the answers they’ve been waiting…

  • integrity

    integrity

    When you live a life of integrityDon’t expect recognitionDon’t expect applause.But be ready to stand alone. When you speak upFor the orphansExpect rebukeAnd prepare for the mocking. To recognize The right side up Quiet your spiritAnd close your eyes. Find your balance.Listen to God’s whisper.  As elbows will poke youAnd hands will shoveFeet will kickAnd the rebuke…

  • What is my Theology?

    What is my Theology?

    One day, my daughters may look back at my life, and be strengthened in their faith.  Yesterday Jackie joined me in my quest to stir things up, to inquire, to move stones out of the less traveled path.  What do I have to give to these girls? Not much by the standards of this world.…

  • A season of clarity

    A season of clarity

    The more time I spend reading the Bible, the easier it becomes to discern God’s voice. Yet I don’t do it enough. I get distracted like a little child, enjoying the scenery, enjoying the simplicity of life. And maybe, in the grand scheme of things, that’s not a bad thing either.  So, I was laying…

  • Letter to my youngest

    Letter to my youngest

    My sweet younger daughter, Whom I haven’t met yet, but my heart knows you. My prayers are not in vain. Your heart is precious. Your life matters. I pray with passion For our reunion And in the same breath I submit my dream to God; May His perfect will be done In His perfect timing.…

  • The power of words.

    The power of words.

    What example do we set for the vulnerable, set to imitate, easily impressionable ones?  Do we pray for wisdom in our old age? Or we feel we lived enough to humble ourselves and open ourselves to correction and guidance from Above?  Kids play. And they use in their play bits and pieces of words they…

  • After ROM

    After ROM

    I’ve lost steam in the past. I got discouraged as things didn’t change or people didn’t respond as I had hoped they would.  Aware of the difference in my enthusiasm and vision as I return from a couple of inspiring conferences, and the outcome of my attempts to do something, I started small and I…

  • What is ROM

    What is ROM

    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” — Romans 12:2 My sister in law asked if she could read more about this conference we went to. Based on our conversation afterward, it sounded very intriguing to her. But there are no brochures. It has…

  • I *blame the renewing of my mind

    I *blame the renewing of my mind

    It has only been 12 hours since we got back from Macedonia, and though I didn’t make a conscious decision to practice disagreeing well, I did something uncharacteristic. Or something I had forgotten (how) to do. Speak up.  Speak up even when a group seems silent.  We often wait to disagree well till we have…

  • Ohrid

    Ohrid

    The tall mountains of Macedonia are rolling stubbornly in the clouds. There’s a blue haze of heat and humidity layering the peaks, in darker and lighter shades.  We left Ohrid.  Jackie is sleeping, dreaming of hugs and laughter. She has adopted an army of aunts and uncles. She has had memorable connections and conversations, has…

  • Not my merit

    Not my merit

    Is it the merit of the child who asks or the parent who gives? When we pray and God answers, how powerful do we feel? We take comfort in the fact that the Creator of the Universe is our Father, so generous, quick to forgive and slow to anger, so very loving… but it’s not…