The latest from my blog
I write on all sorts of topics such as Celebration & Wonder, Community & Discipleship, Intimacy with Christ, and Redemption & Grace. I share my random thoughts in Miscellaneous Musings.
I’m glad you’ve joined me!
300 Denarii or 30 Pieces of Silver
Mary generously gave a vial of perfume worth 300 Denarii (about a year's wages) as an offering to Jesus. In the next breath, Judas sold him out for the redemption price of a slave. (See Matthew 26:6-16) I marvel at Mary's gift. I think of how hard I often clutch...
Cleansing the Temple
As I was reading in Matthew this morning (because that's where I'm lingering these days), I stumbled upon the passage about Jesus cleansing the Temple of all the money-changers and those selling sacrifices (in chapter 21). But as I read it, I thought "I remember this...
Why Jesus Came To Israel (or at least part of the reason)
I had that conversation again yesterday (Well, it wasn't really a dialogue. I was just listening. But sometimes those are the best kinds of conversations.). The conversation goes something like this: I "don't believe" in God because... well, I'm angry at Him. If...
The Majesty And Authority Of Christ Unveiled By His Miracles
If our lives had a mantra, one of mine would be "Christianity/Jesus/the Bible doesn't exist to fix our behavior, but to unveil the majesty of God!" (Though a glimpse of the Holy God really should make us want to rectify our behavior wherever it is harmful and...
Why Isaiah 43 Makes Me Weep
I am sitting on a friend's porch weeping. Why? Well, it depends on the question. I am sitting on a friend's porch because I am dog sitting for her. I am weeping because of Isaiah 43:1-7 and the glorious things it does to my soul. Some of you know my story. I'm...
The Church Universal
When I first landed in Kathmandu in the summer of 2018, my jaw fell slack at the vibrant colors. My mind immediately went to the foundation stones of the Celestial City- jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase,...
Is Discipleship Being Overthrown By Google?
It's no secret that I adore 20-somethings. Maybe because I remember how hard it was and what a mess I was? Maybe because many of you are just starting your families, and I remember what it's like to try to figure it all and not have a clue whether or not you are...
Self-Denial, Coffee, and Easter
I wonder if everyone has a mantra, a philosophy that guides their life more than any other way of thinking? I wonder if others know what their guiding beliefs are? Something about writing a book, published or not, casts reflection and understanding on what your...
A Granddaughter’s Glee
A couple of days ago I babysat Laura, who I'd barely seen since we returned from LA and MS a couple of weeks ago. Simon and Alycia had gotten sick, so I avoided them and they avoided everyone. When I came to pick up my 10-month old grandbaby, as soon as she saw me...
Eating My Way Through Louisiana
For a few years, Smiles and I had two states left on our Bucket List. We used to tell people, "We've been to 48 states... and they're not the two you're thinking of." Any time we would find out someone was from Louisiana or Mississippi, we'd ask them what we should...
An Ode to Beth Yazdani and Her Exclamation of a Life!
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones" - Psalm 116:15 It's interesting how we lament the early departure of those who die young, even when they are God's people and have only departed this world, and in the truest sense, are flying Home to...
Logos
Somehow, I always thought of the Greek word "Logos" (meaning "word") as though it were only talking about Jesus. "In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logs was with God, and the Logos was God... And the Logos became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:1 and 14)....