The Tree in Winter

Lacy and austere at once–beautiful barren trees–winter’s mystique. Frost-covered branches, in winterland magic, play music when jiggled. There is promise in the tree, stripped of fruitfulness in winter’s glory. Winter’s splendor is best revealed in tree unrobed stark against the gray. Let the barren branch take root in bleak mystery–deep hides the new leaf. The…

Cloistered

Cloistered I barely see you across the green meadow, feeding, lingering in morning’s silvery misty veil and awaiting the sun’s bright clarity that brings sure revelation of up and downhill turnings. Day’s beginning and ending remain in mystery. Cloistered in daybreak’s sheltering haze, hidden but not hiding, you quiet your soul to rest and wait…

The next time you want to shake your fist at God…

It is essential in our walk with God to understand him as a consuming fire. Most consider our Creator and his acts toward humankind to center around judgment or discipline. That he is ever-watching from heaven to smash our plans or even our lives. But the consuming fire of the Holy One of Israel and…

Maybe

The holy mystery of Christmas is not hidden. It shouts in the streets like a vendor and blocks the highway like a barricade. It’s the crazy unexplainable that flashes with bright clarity for a second and collapses in the warm arms of hope that yearn for home. It’s the beauty of heaven that falls with…

Slow-Smoked Meat

Outside the barbecue smokehouse, a tattered flag waves, “Tr*mp W0n.” Apparently this theory does not effect the good eats inside. “It takes time to get the flavor just right—you can’t hurry,” said the smokehouse owner with a slow southern drawl. People flock from miles around to tickle their palates with southern barbecue favorites. Not a…

These Words are Chasing me Around the Room

Life presses on around us, and we are well aware of it. Still we are trying to slow it down for these few days in Cyprus, waiting on God at our “Bethel.” He is speaking too! And we take joy in all His words as they fall deep into our hearts. We have had glorious…

Anti-Semitism in America

“Priest and Rabbi” by David Olère At the University of California in San Diego, a Muslim student reveals

Things are Blurry Now

I have always wanted to study the art of pottery making; so when we visited a potter’s house in Addis Ababa last week, my heart beat for joy. Actually, my hubby and I have visited this place three times over the years, and each trip is just as wonderful as the first. I watched in…