Broken Pitcher

I’m sitting here on the beach, the steadfast waves crashing against the shore, the sun warm on my back, taken in, overcome – just in awe of God. I know, the beach is an inspiring place for many people, but this is a new experience for me as sand is not really my friend. But this beach, this beach speaks to my soul – it’s full of beautiful stones! Oh, I can't wait to explore! Last time I was here there was a short drop from the sand to where the waves stretched. Now it appears the waves have carved a new path to the shore and piled up a stone ramp. These new stones are much larger than the ones that were here a little over a week ago. (Things like this fascinate me and cause me to wonder as I take it all in.) I can hardly take a step without oohing and ahhing over the lovely stones. I feel a little like the Sand Pipers, walking along the shore, head down, poking through the sand, as I scoop up stone after stone, hands full.  Searching for something to carry my treasure.I empty out

  Sometimes love looks like Sunflowers. This week has been so crazy I couldn’t even remember what the date was. As my hubby checked his phone to confirm that it was in fact the 28 th  of August , I lamely mentioned that the month had just slipped away. But my heart? My heart was gripped and began to brace itself for what lay just a few days away.   It’ll be five years on Sunday. Five years since my son took his final breath. Five years since I’ve heard his laugh, seen him smile, listened to his stories, looked into those bright eyes and hugged him long. Five long short years…   And my heart aches.    As I got ready for the day I asked the LORD to give me strength to endure with grace. To let me not fall apart during worship at church on Sunday. To stay steadfast and not be derailed by grief. Then off I went, into the busyness of the day.    The grocery shopping took longer than I expected and I was tired as I pulled in the driveway. Arms full of bags as I came through the door, I plopp

Pondering this deeply today, in light of the current "culture"...  As a disciple of Jesus Christ, will we be brave enough to sacrifice our ordinary life and instead embrace God's best - dare to live a brilliant, stand out life of radical love -  nuclear love that will eradicate the darkness of these days?

Peace In this time of chaos, fear and uncertainty God wants you to know there is Peace. Peace that overtakes darkness, and in fact, shines all the brighter because of it. PEACE

Grieved  over this today... Pride, it requires validation, it must satiate a need. It hungers for  the proving grounds competing  for the win. Pride takes. Pride cares less loves small gives begrudgingly wants more. Pride insists on being  heard. Pride squirms in the light of Truth. Pride  consumes. Pride will not be satisfied until its host is completely undone.

When you sing The Little Drummer Boy in church, and you’re wrecked… I want my heart to be like rich, tilled soil. Ready for God’s Word, ready for God’s will. At least that’s what I tell myself.  And then, this simple, song with its annoying pa rum pum pum pums challenges my obedience. And my heart sees itself and is ashamed. You see, this young boy’s heart had to worship the King. It wouldn’t rest until it had spent itself adoring Him. He yearned to bring a gift to the Almighty and was grieved at his empty hands. But even that wouldn’t stop him, so he gave the only thing he had, his talents.  Oh, oh, oh. God, in His generosity to us has given us gifts, that we would have something to give! And I stood there, tears streaming, convicted, empty handed. I’ve not been using the gifts God has so graciously given to me, so today I have nothing to lay before the King… Then Pastor Ryan challenges us to weigh our view of greatness against the Word of God,  specifically in the