This week's theme Spiritual Journey Thursday word "REDEMPTION" had me scratching my head at first. I know the traditional religious meaning of the word "redemption" is the rich concept of salvation from sin through the atonement of Christ. But one also hears the word redemption used in another way. I read or hear it used… Continue reading SJT – Redemption (Midwife Openings)
Mercy is one of those words we bandy about so freely in Christian culture, it becomes almost invisible. I gained a fresh appreciation of its richness when I looked it up in the dictionary before writing this post: Mercy: 1. Kind or compassionate treatment of an offender, adversary, prisoner etc. in one's power; compassion where… Continue reading SJT – Mercy (In the DNA)
Love Triangles, Discovering Jesus the Jew in Today's Israel by Bobbie Ann Cole My rating: 4 of 5 stars In her memoir / travelogue Love Triangles, Bobbie Ann Cole writes about her love affair with Israel. When she and husband Butch move there, it is to fill a six-month time period till their rented property… Continue reading Love Triangles (review)
If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God's What If Possibilities by Mark Batterson My rating: 4 of 5 stars In his newest book If, author Mark Batterson uses Romans 8 and the powerful little word “if” to challenge readers to live the Christian life with more obedience, faith, and abandonment. Section headings “If only,”… Continue reading If (review)
Autumn Song Lettuce has bolted rhubarb has plumed cabbage grown plump the onions have bloomed Apples hide stars tomatoes mandalas green pews hold peas mushrooms umbrellas Beets count their rings like old hickories cauliflowers are albino trees Turnips love purple radishes red carrots, potatoes won’t get out of bed Corn’s teeth are stained peaches and… Continue reading Autumn Song
At a Bible study class I attend, this week one of the class members bemoaned the existence of denominations. Her sentiment caught my attention, partly I'm sure because I was already thinking about the topic for this week's Spiritual Journey Thursday. But partly too because I don't agree. Yes, I know we can look at… Continue reading Denominations–members of One Body
Annie Vallotton “I drew some of the drawings eighty to ninety times before I achieved the one I wanted. I wanted to get to the truth, which is the most important thing.” Annie Vallotton ( from an interview on the Bible Illustration Blog) Pharisee stands tall hands clasped over robed paunch beatific smile on heaven-raised… Continue reading Annie Vallotton
I've been part of a local poetry group for about ten years! My involvement started out when the MSA Poets Potpourri Society invited me to be a guest reader at one of their poetry nights. I think it was in 2005. After a few years of attending off-and-on, I became a paid member. In 2010… Continue reading This is the house that Donna built
Next to the beginning of the new calendar year, the beginning of September is the time we make the most changes in our lives. The kids start a new school year. All kinds of activities from kids' soccer to adult classes get underway. If we've moved, we'll be exploring a new neighborhood. If we've decided… Continue reading How to look for a church
Our weather has turned gorgeous again after a couple of weeks of welcome rain. The last few days remind me of a September holiday we took some years ago. We spent part of it in the area of B.C. called the Sunshine Coast. On that trip we drove the whole highway from Langdale (near Gibsons)… Continue reading Savary Island in September
Violet Nesdoly 