Blog
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Five-Minute Friday: Moving Beyond Sloth
In the past couple of months, when people would ask me how I am, I’d often reply, “Tired.” I have been weary to the bone; tired in body and spirit. Writing two books in quick succession, powering through my MA in Christian spirituality all in a too-compressed time period, and some personal issues have left…
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Watercolor Wednesday: Harnessing the Wind
I’ve been remiss in sharing my dad’s paintings! Sorry if you’ve missed the way he expresses what he sees through his art. I’m back, and promise to be more consistent. I love this sailboat painting of his – it’s a biggish work that we have hanging in our hallway. I see motion and freedom and…
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Devotional of the week: Free from; free to (3 in Fruit of the Spirit series)
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:7–14) In the text we’re reading this week, Paul doesn’t shy away from strong language. If it doesn’t put you off your cereal or sandwich, think through exactly what he’s saying in verse 12. Yes, this is no…
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Devotional of the week: True freedom (2 in Fruit of the Spirit series)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1–6 When we think of the fruit of the Spirit, often we will think of this list as found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Many a sermon has…
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New Devotional Series: Living a Fruitful Life – The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
I’ve had a bit of a break from posting devotional thoughts, but am delighted to share this one on the fruits of the Spirit. As it’s Lent, the season of preparing for Easter (why should you observe Lent?), it seems appropriate to focus on how God can bring forth fruit in our lives. Thank you…
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Why Lent?: How to Enrich Your Faith Before Easter
As one who grew up in a church that uses set prayers in its services and observes seasons and rituals, I’ve known the season of Lent from my childhood. For me it’s an important time to prepare myself for Jesus’ death and resurrection; it’s a yearly reminder of my sins, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross,…
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Five Minute Friday: Replenish the empty stores
“How long did it take for you to write the books and complete the MA?” “Three years,” I said. “And how long do you think you’d give someone else to do that?” “Hmmm…. Probably five years.” “So you’re two years ahead! You can take some time off.” As I think about a conversation with…
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Watercolor Wednesday: A Day in the Mountains
On a day in January, when I’ve lived in England twenty years, I think back to the ski trips in the mountains of the American West Coast, or the hills of Minnesota where I grew up, and I get a bit nostalgic. If you have mountains to gaze at today, enjoy them for me!
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Weekly Devotional: Old Self, New Self
Read: Ephesians 4:17-25 Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life . . . . Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:22-24) I once was treated to a makeover in which a generous friend not only bought me gorgeous clothes, but arranged for a…
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Watercolor Wednesday: Drizzly Grey
The weather in London has looked a lot like this painting lately. Grey, drizzly, chilly, and with only periodic bursts of sunshine. I know for a lot of people, January feels dull and grey too. It can feel a hard month because of the effort we may put into the resolutions made at the beginning…
