Category: Spiritual
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Bethel
We all survived a week of flexible schedule. Nothing started or ended on time. We went with the flow. The pullbacks were gentle and could have driven some timely, organized people crazy. It’s odd that an entire group of 40 adult didn’t bring forth at least one people to react negatively to this extraordinary lack…
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Window into my prayer room
Blue ripples As I glide weightless through the waterI reach the end of myself And I know not what else to doBut let go. My eloquence and persuasion are useless I feel broken. I cry to GodAnd he meets me thereIn the perfect waterI ask God to reach my brother’s heart To wake him up To meet himLet him see…
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Reconciliation
The positive heartIn absence of anotherRemembers and feeds on the good My brother. Your servant heartYour quiet demeanor Not once have I doubted your love And yet. Conflicting signals You hurt.And I don’t understand. Coming homeI sense it’s worse than I thought As I put my self aside I see clearer. I start praying For healingFor understanding For peace Then I am moved With…
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God, don’t waste my gifts
Don’t leave me stuck in my head. In my discouragement. In my depression. Pull me out by my arm. Throw me back into life. Point me into Your direction. CS Lewis observed that war, famine & death ultimately brought out the best in people. Before I knew of this author, I had also instinctively detached…
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About mom
Studying Jacob’s life this last week, we first looked at the father perspective. The next day, we studied then introspected about our own mothers. We were asked with clever insight, to name the first three words that describe our dad, or mom, and three words that describe our relationship with them. These words were our…
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What do you want God to do for you?
Such a daring question. A good one, no less. We tend to dream small based on our fears and memory of selfishness. Until we are honest enough to even admit our own wild dreams, we cannot even confront them with God. So we remain small. In stature and accomplishments. What do I want God to…
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Optimism & Altruism
Two essential qualities in parenting. We come into marriage with an average dose of altruism. Whatever we’ve witnessed growing up, and how we’ve been challenged to get involved in the family life or in our community. Self-sacrifice gives forth its fruit over time, so it has nothing to do with instant gratification. Unless we got…
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How many hurts do we learn to live with?
It goes all the way back to Adam, and our primal sin as humans. But I never knew how much passivity could hurt, and how much havoc it can cause. I have been silenced by shame. Because I couldn’t speak freely about what was going on, afraid it would embarrass others. A few years have…
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“God listens to our heart’s wishes”
Jackie wouldn’t admit how painful her fever felt. On the contrary. She smiled to put us at ease. We didn’t pray for her to get better. I must have prayed for her as she seemed half asleep. In the morning, she gleefully exclaimed she doesn’t have a fever anymore, quite convinced that God listened to…
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Even if…
Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes,even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield no food,even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle— even then, I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me.1The Lord Almighty is my strength. He makes…
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A visit. Presence of mind and clarity
This past month I have had some aha-moments. I’ve been looking forward to Conrad’s parents’ visit for quite some time. We hadn’t seen them in a year and a half. And I believe they have a positive effect on Conrad. They are wise and trustworthy. They are godly and loving. And on a few occasions…
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We’re in this together
After feeling that I finally detached myself from the guilt of anger, I not just mustered the courage but I had the desire and drive to pick up and read the book “when parents get angry” by Carl Semmelroth. I just read the first chapter. It’s good! Here is what I want to highlight though. …