Abiding in the Vine, Sabbath

Sabbatical So Far

Hello from North Carolina! We’ve been here three weeks now, and while we have definitely had periods of rest and quiet in that time, there has also been plenty to keep us busy. It’s really the perfect mixture so far. I posted the above pictures taken last Sunday after church, because they sort of reflects… Read More Sabbatical So Far

Family Life, Holidays

Home For Christmas

I just dropped four family members at Boston’s Logan airport after five full days together. It was such a gift, and I’m trying to treasure and ponder it all in my heart, since as an elder at my church said on Christmas Eve, “These times are few and far between.” He also had the gift… Read More Home For Christmas

Abiding in the Vine

Grace in the Law of the Sabbath: A Reminder

My friend, Jenny, posted this blog post of mine from 2011 on Facebook last week, and I hardly recognized myself when I re-read it. I’m finding it harder than ever to rest these days…to actually obey this commandment, which is one of the top TEN, or rather an important and overarching category of God’s whole… Read More Grace in the Law of the Sabbath: A Reminder

Favorite Things, Good News

Friday Favorites: Cooper’s Story

A few of you have either mentioned how much Cooper’s testimony meant to you, or expressed a desire to read it. Here it is, reprinted with Cooper’s permission. His baptism, along with two others that day, happened this past Sunday, and it was…well, I’m not sure I have a word for it. Cooper’s life, well-being,… Read More Friday Favorites: Cooper’s Story

Dwelling in the Land, Motherhood

It’s Quiet Here

I’m only pulling out two plates for dinner these days. I’m not pulling Lego guy pistols and swords out of the debris I just swept from the dining room floor anymore. There are no loud crashes of wooden block towers on wood floors heard from upstairs. I’m not making two pizzas (Mexican & pepperoni) every… Read More It’s Quiet Here

Exultations, Wedding Bells

Far More Abundantly – Part 2: Delight

The archivist in me wants to get it all down here and not let any more time pass, so I’m sitting in a coffee shop in Rhode Island trying to finish the story before we start our annual week of youth camp. I should be working on the Bible study I will be leading all… Read More Far More Abundantly – Part 2: Delight

Abiding in the Vine, Exultations

Far More Abundantly – Part 1: Love is a Verb

Hi, friends. It’s been a while, and I’ve missed being here. It’s partly due to a dizzying amount of activity and partly due to having so much to say that I don’t even know where to start. Two passages of Scripture have been coming to mind over and over in the last few weeks and months…… Read More Far More Abundantly – Part 1: Love is a Verb

Dwelling in the Land, Exultations

Celebration Grace

Revelation. It was the next book staring at me as I turned the page from Jude on my journey through the New Testament in recent months. My first thoughts were: Ugh. I don’t want to read Revelation. Crazy visions, bowls of wrath, angels, sealed books, dragons with seven heads, and sea beasts. No one knows… Read More Celebration Grace

Dwelling in the Land

Hurdles and Hope

Did you see the video that was circulating a few weeks back featuring the little girl from Ireland who was brokenhearted that she wasn’t invited to the Royal Wedding? She truly believed she was going to “Meghan’s wedding,” and when her mom explained that you have to be royalty – a real princess, in order… Read More Hurdles and Hope

Dwelling in the Land, Hospitality

Last Week & A Winner

I was going to entitle this post May is cray-cray, but then I realized it’s not even May yet. Yikes.  May will indeed be crazy – baptisms, a wedding, graduations, Kayla’s thesis presentation day, a family reunion in Texas – but it will be also be wonderfully filled with celebration. I can’t wait. Maybe one… Read More Last Week & A Winner