Blog
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Relinquishing Independence – Happy Fourth of July!
Happy Independence Day! The day has a multitude of meanings for me, not least as the day I felt called away from my county of birth, as I wrote in Finding Myself in Britain: When Nicholas and I contemplated marriage, we each went on a quiet retreat to pray and seek God’s guidance about the…
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Weekly devotional: Christ is all (4 in Paul’s letters to Timothy series)
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true…
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Watercolor Wednesday: A sunset in Spain
I’ve shared this watercolor before, but as I’m actually in Spain, looking at this very view in the evening from the balcony outside my room, it feels fitting to share it again. We’re retreating, looking at Paul’s letter to the Colossians, and exploring how we live in and for Christ. Group discussion, imaginative prayer, walking…
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Weekly devotional: Prayer and authority (3 in Paul’s letters to Timothy series)
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to…
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Watercolor Wednesday: Time to refresh
Soon I will go to Spain, to the lovely El Palmeral, where I’ll be leading a retreat when we delve into the book of Colossians. Such a lot to explore in just 95 verses! The incomparable Christ, living in Christ, living for Christ. I’m sharing this painting of my dad’s today as I think about…
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Weekly devotional: The power of story (2 in Paul’s letters to Timothy series)
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full…
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Five Minute Friday: An abundance of rest and restoration
Today’s prompt for Five Minute Friday, restore, resonates with me strongly. As regular readers here will know, #MyOneWord this year is replenish. A time for filling up the stores that have been depleted from writing two books, completing an MA in Christian spirituality, and facing some other challenges. Yet as I talked with my weekly writing…
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Watercolor Wednesday: Soaking up city culture
It’s that time of year when many Americans come to Europe for vacation/holiday, and the time when I see on social media the many graduations and proms. Schools are generally out now across the pond, while my kids have well over a month left of the daily grind. I remind myself of our regular breaks…
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New Devotional Series: Paul’s letters to Timothy
Time for a new devotional series! For the next few months, I will be sharing weekly thoughts based on 1 and 2 Timothy. We’ll explore how the Apostle Paul sometimes gets a bad rap as being misogynistic, harsh, and didactic. But perhaps he’s seen this way when people forget that we’re only reading half of…
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Five Minute Friday: A Buzzing Fly
In England, for reasons I’m not completely aware, windows do not come with screens to keep out insects. So often in the summertime, when I’m sitting in my study by the window, a fly or a bee will come in, uninvited. Their buzz will distract me, and I may silently, or even verbally, tell them…
