light sources: faith in the yet unseen

The sun is shining but how can I reflect its rays when storm clouds of fear and pain block their passage to my soul. My bed is floating on a flood of nightly tears; my gut writhes and clenches as I cry out to you for mercy and help. How long, Oh Lord, how much… Read More

light sources: the man in the moon

Do you see him? The moon is full, round, and brilliant— so bright that trees cast shadows and I can find my way in the darkness. I stand still and look at the moon, in awe at the beauty, whispering thanks for the light, and I see him— the man in the moon, looking lovingly… Read More

light sources: daylight moonshine

When the sun is bright in the sky— too radiant to look at without damaging my eyes— does the moon still reflect its light? Surely it does on the other side of the world where the inky darkness of night covers the earth with shadow. But I don’t look for the moon during my daylight… Read More

What should my scandalous life look like?

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary gives this full definition of scandal: a :  discredit brought upon religion by unseemly conduct in a religious person b :  conduct that causes or encourages a lapse of faith or of religious obedience in another loss of or damage to reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety : disgrace a : … Read More

coming into being

What is advent? Before this morning (when I looked it up) I would have said it was “the time before” or “a time of waiting.” But there’s more to it than that. The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives this definition (when not capitalized): a coming into being or use such as <the advent of pasteurization> or <the advent… Read More

spending time in King David’s family

The Bible tells us David was a man after God’s own heart. He sinned very publicly over and over again, yet he is a wonderful model of repentance. When confronted with his sins, David owned them, confessed them on his knees, and was forgiven. David knew from experience that sin doesn’t happen in a vacuum.… Read More

inheritance

All humankind inherited death from Adam as a consequence of sin. When you look at history, you see that conflicts of nations are also inherited. The whole situation between Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar led to generations of hatred between Jews and Arabs. We inherit blessings as well. DNA is only one way of leaving an… Read More