Posts Tagged ‘presence’
Our “Invisible” Sickness
I want to briefly interrupt my “How Change Happens” series to share a reflection on a topic that has become a fire in my belly. In the big picture, the topic is how consumerism is the enemy of creativity and connection. What follows is not the grand manifesto that I hope to one day write;…
Read MoreThe Slow Path from Panic to Peace
Two days before Thanksgiving I had a panic attack. I didn’t know it was a panic attack at the time, but when I described the symptoms to a friend – elevated heart rate for days on end, extreme muscle tension, chest pain, the inability to calm my body even when my brain knew I wasn’t…
Read MoreMoving Toward Suffering
Over spring break, I got to go on vacation with Joel’s family. We stayed in a whimsical cottage outside of Wimberley, and for the most part had a lovely time. The second night, however, we heard a scream from the loft upstairs. Grace had been practicing a dance on the slick wood floors and had…
Read MoreAcceptance & Vulnerability
The Fear of Being Seen One of my oldest, strongest longings is the desire to be deeply known. This might surprise people who knew me as a child, because I was very reserved in most settings and rarely offered up information about myself. In fact, the thought of drawing people’s attention terrified me. I read…
Read MoreWhen Encouragement Doesn’t Work: A Story of Shame
If you follow our blog, then you’ve heard about the transition we’re currently walking through at Body Oak Cliff. (If you missed it – read about Joel’s departure here.) As you can probably imagine, this change has stirred up a lot for me – grief about not working as closely with Joel, insecurity about my…
Read MoreGod’s Righteous Tree (Advent 2017)
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. – Isaiah 61:3b Guest post by Peggy Winford [Peggy, and her husband Rick, recently became “second career” missionaries, moving to serve in Europe after 34 years of working in the high tech industry. They are serving in…
Read MoreGod’s Tender Words (Advent 2017)
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. – John 1:6-8 Guest post by Brent McDougal When John the Baptizer…
Read MoreHe Carries Us Close to His Heart (Advent 2017)
One of the Advent passages for this week contains one of my favorite verses of all time (Isa. 40:11): He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. I’m not sure there’s a more gentle, tender image…
Read MoreThe Smile of God (Advent 2017)
Over Thanksgiving, I had the pleasure of playing with Deborah’s niece and nephews. While I’m sure the parents were happy for the help, I was in it for purely selfish reasons. A smile. In playing with toddlers, I go all in: getting down on the floor, being imaginative and goofy, readying myself for endless games…
Read MorePresence & Longing (Advent 2017)
All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene. (1 Cor. 1:7) Thanksgiving was a really hard day for me this year. People always say that the holidays can be hard, but I’d never felt it as acutely as…
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