The river of disappointment and sorrow—the one that catches in your throat and you swallow back, the one that stings your eyes hot with betraying tears—if you release that pain to stream freely, it will push out, out to empty itself into the vast deep of the salty ocean brine that scrubs clean the wound….
Tag: hope
DAYSPRING
DAYSPRING, noun: The dawn; the beginning of the day, or first appearance of light. Webster’s 1828 I’m a huge fan of morning! My husband is too. Usually you marry the opposite; but in this case, we are alike—up early and sitting in the dark waiting for the dawn. I might add usually with joy! This is…
Summer Garden
I can stand for hours in the midst of a summer garden—awash in silence— save a symphony of lilting birdsong, babbling brook, and the rustling of wind through weeping willows, the wild lilac, and dripping wisteria. I can wait there—longer than the darkness and sorrow of night—longer than the brassy banging of a mad world….
Sadness with Pause
Most Christians in the Charismatic movement across the United States are aware of the recent passing of Beni Johnson, wife of Pastor Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in Redding, California. This journey for Ps Bill and Beni was a difficult one that included the whole community (Truly that is what church is—community). The family, pastoral…
Gold Glue
A dear friend from Chile brought me a gift from her hometown of Santiago. I unwrapped the pretty box to find a blue and white porcelain, intricately carved, heart with a lid. I loved it immediately and appreciated the kind thoughtfulness. It sat on my bedroom dresser for years. When we moved to a new…
Treasures of Darkness
“I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.” Isaiah 45:3 “But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”Matthew 7:4…
Ukraine, Israel, and More
The criminal, deathly Russian aggression against Ukraine in the last week has touched a deep place of both shock and compassion in hearts around the world, especially Wayne and me. We moved our family to Odessa, Ukraine some years ago to start Bible schools and congregations. When the flames of Communism went underground, the gospel…
One Foot on Different Continents
We buried the dead for months and months, and we mourned and wept and waited for it pass. Some prayed and some railed. Some burned and some stole. Some legislated and some pressed on. Some died and some lived. Some shouted into the dark, and some escaped the flames. Everyone’s hair was singed. Everyone looked…
Table of Forgiveness
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” Psalm 23:5. This scripture sprang to living color this morning as I read, and a myriad of memories flashed across my mind. When Wayne and I lived in Israel, we made numerous trips to…
Stick through the Silence
I prayed for the world’s madness to stop. It only got crazier. Silence from heaven. I prayed for several friends not to die of Covid. They died. Silence. I prayed for God to heal my brother of pancreatic cancer. Silence. I prayed for 15 years for a husband. Silence. I prayed for five years for…
Bonnie Saul Wilks 