It’s Friday! Hope you guys have a lovely, refreshing weekend and that April showers don’t keep you from a long bike ride or run or walk. Hope you enjoy some of these morsels that have delighted me this week too!
Last weekend John and I had the privilege of preaching together on relationships and baggage. (What could be more fun than unpacking your dirty clothes in front of a couple thousand people, right?)*
Anyway, afterwards we were touched by how many people bravely shared their baggage with us. And a friend sent this song by Francesca Batistelli called If We’re Honest, saying she thought it went perfectly with the message. I love it and I hope you will too. Continue reading
On Fridays I try to post just a few of the things that have delighted or inspired me, and resources you might like – the “soul food” from my week.
I would love to hear about your “soul food” in the comments too! Just remember, if you’re posting for the first or second time it won’t appear immediately, but it WILL show up eventually 🙂
Monday I wrote a hard post that many of you resonated with. On Tuesday, Ruth Haley Barton posted an eReflection from her excellent book, Life Together in Christ.that is a great follow-up to my post. You can read her thoughts here: Continue reading
Hey friends, I don’t know about you, but around here it’s been quite a downer of a week. It just seems that all the news from both friends and the world at large, is H.E.A.V.Y.
Sure, sometimes the appropriate response is a sarcastic “Your problems are soooo real!”
We need safe places to be real about our mess, but we also need to balance our pain with the discipline of genuine gratitude.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes. 5:18
So, after a week of ugly politics, continued war, hard diagnoses, hurting marriages, and loss on many fronts, here’s some stuff I’m thankful for. Continue reading
Every Friday I try to post some of the things that have delighted or inspired me – the “soul food” from my week.
The Message translation from Psalm 23 says, “My cup brims with blessing”. That’s the way I feel! So much goodness to share today – enjoy!
If this doesn’t warm your heart nothing will…
I know this is old, but I just saw it for the first time this week and thought it was absolutely hysterical! This is particularly for my friends in Texas!
Favorite Instagram post this week!
The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhounhas been a favorite of mine since it was published in 2009. Recently she came out with a new edition which I am savoring! Although many might view this as a resource book, I see it as much more.
Adele has catalogued a list of 75 different spiritual practices (13 new ones in this expanded edition) under 7 different headings. For each discipline there are reflection questions and spiritual exercises, so this would be a great book to use as a devotional, or with a small group.
Some of the new practices Adele has added include Unplugging, Visio Divina, Solidarity in Jesus’ sufferings, Waiting, and my favorite – Mindfulness/Attentiveness.I highly recommend this book!
An inspiring video. Take a minute to watch this with awe at God’s creativity and power.
A delightful book I read this week: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman I hope this book is made into a movie. I almost put it down because the main character is so unlikeable for the first third, but gradually we learn more of his story in flashbacks and his community doesn’t give up on him. It is an amazing story of grace and understanding, and the ending? Oh, just wait for it!
One reviewer wrote, “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down”.
“Worship is saying, ‘You are God. I’m not….'” Lauren Chandler
A dear friend of mine in New Zealand has been sending me posts like the one below, leading up to an event they are hosting called “Reboot, Refresh, Revitalize”. What a great way to start each day – with Scripture and a question to ponder!
And if you need another reminder of the power and majesty of God this weekend...
Clouds belched buckets of rain, Sky exploded with thunder, your arrows flashing this way and that. From Whirlwind came your thundering voice, Lightning exposed the world, Earth reeled and rocked… Psalm 77:16-19
And lastly, my favorite Instagram this week…Sometimes you just need a cute puppy pic.
That’s it for me! What’s brought you joy or encouragement this week?
Some weeks are just so…weekly aren’t they? I hope something from this post today will lift your spirits, inspire, or encourage you. Have a great weekend! Continue reading
With these Soul Food posts I try to share things that have delighted, inspired, or filled me. Hope you enjoy! (If you’re not a crafty baker just skip the first part of this post 🙂 )
I am so over-the-moon blessed to have many amazing, talented, creative friends in my life. And, one of the perks of being in ministry is that everyone brings their best recipes to events and I GET THE RECIPES!
Wednesday night the community of young couples I shepherd, had a girls only Christmas party. So many of these women have the gift of hospitality, leadership, creativity, and FUN (yes, I think that’s an official spiritual gift 🙂 ) My friend Annalise brought this dessert/snack mix(from twosisterscrafting) which we all loved! (warning – it’s a little gooey).
And years ago a friend introduced me to Christmas Crack (yes, that is an appropriate name for this addictive delight). I’ve had several people ask for the recipe this year so here you go!
Mix in roaster (I like to get the big tin throw-away kind and re-use cuz I don’t have a “real” roaster.:
1 17 oz box Crispix
1 bag Fritos
1 can salted cocktail peanuts
In medium saucepan melt: 1 1/2 cup butter, 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup corn syrup (Karo), 1/4 ts. salt.
Boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 ts. baking soda. Pour over cereal mixture and stir. Bake at 250 for 45 minutes stirring about every 15 minutes.
Spread out on wax paper to cool. Store in tupperware. And not a calorie in it! 🙂
Last weekend we had our staff Christmas party. I’m so thankful for all the people who show up and contribute delectable salads, meats, and desserts for this celebration! My friend Laurie came with this peppermint plate she made to put her dessert on. Yes, a tiny bit broke off (or someone took a nibble 🙂 ), but isn’t it amazing? And SO easy!
Here’s the one I made (read: opened peppermints and popped in the oven) last night.
You could totally make it with your kiddos if you want! It would make a darling base for a gingerbread house too!Here are the directions.
My favorite You Tube video this week – just try not to laugh!
And this uplifting Instagram post. “The power of love is bigger than the love of power.” Yes!
For those who are waiting in this season with a cloud of darkness hovering…
“Stay And Wait” (lyrics)
Who spoke the Earth and sky to form
Who sets the sun and calls the dawn
Who breathed me out of dust to life
With the will to trust or run and hide
I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up Your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to Your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on Yours
Who loved me through my rebel way
Who chose to carry all my shame
Who breaths in me with endless life
The king of glory Jesus Christ
I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up Your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to Your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on Yours
God of wonder and God of grace
Let my soul stand always to praise You
Fix my eyes on Your perfect way
And I’ll never look back
I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up Your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to Your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on Yours
Who lifts the poor and heals the blind
Who trampled death for all mankind
Who stands for all with arms stretched wide
My King forever Jesus Christ
I’m pretty cynical about social media these days. Facebook and Twitter, I’ll throw you a bone now and then, but you really make me tired. But Instagram??? LOVE!*
It helps me be pay attention to God’s everyday graces.
It is positive, and uplifting. No one is bashing anyone on Instagram.
It is a creative outlet. It gives space to communicate what we’re making, the environments that are moving us, and the relationships we value.
It’s visual and I’m visual.
For me, Twitter is mostly information sharing. Facebook is where I post links to the blog and try to affirm others, but Instagram feels like a smaller, more personal, more inspiring world.
I’m really picky about who/what I follow on Instagram. If you put up all pictures of your kids, friends, or family, I figure I’ll see them on Facebook.
But if you want some suggestions of feeds l like, check these out:
1. benjaminhole – the ebb and flow of farming life on the Isle of Purbeck, England
2. wranglertoday – the Today Show’s puppy with a purpose. These pictures chronicle Wrangler’s journey to becoming a guide dog.
3. earthpix – amazing pictures of places, people, animals, and nature
4. thedailyst – The Daily Saint – “By saints I meant people who behaved decently in a strikingly indecent society.” These are pictures of people doing random acts of kindness.
5. bobgoff – uplifting words and pictures from the indomitable Bob Goff, author of Love Does.
6. usinterior – beautiful pictures from state and national parks
What Instagram feeds do YOU like that I should check out??
*If ANY form of social media feels like too much to you and you just don’t want to go there, I get it! Good for you if this is a healthy boundary…one thing you want to say “no” to.
Happy One Word Friday! I think some of the ways we “Choose Life” (my two words) are by choosing truth, choosing grace, and choosing to delight in the gifts of God. I thought I’d share some of those gifts that have been delighting me lately. What about you? Share what’s delighted you lately in the comments! Continue reading
Last week we gathered some couples in our home for a casual dinner of chicken chili and ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce. We lit candles, and a fire in the fireplace and it snowed outside. The house was almost all decorated for Christmas except our tree wasn’t up yet. It felt cozy and I loved getting to know these folks better, connecting them to each other.
One thing we often do when we have new friends over is to ask each person to write down a little known fact or hobby, or experience, or accomplishment. We fold the papers, put them in a bowl and draw them out one at a time. As we read them, we try to guess who wrote each one.
Afterwards, here’s a picture I posted on Instagram.
