The last golden days of October have arrived. Meanwhile, we're living with the awful surreal reality of the mass shooting in next-door Maine. The whole world has gone mad with torment and grief, our politics are completely off-the-rails, and holiday excesses are just around the corner.
Lament matters.
I don't know about you, but I need to acknowledge these stark realities even as I purposefully refocus and recalibrate, reflecting on things that are good and lovely, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). I know no other way to continue forward.
The soothing art of dabbling with watercolors. Choosing to purposefully quiet our ragged souls. Falling in love with the Scriptures yet again. And my take on blogging as 2023 edges toward a close.
Here we go.
SOMETHING LOVED
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SOMETHING READ
In the cacophony of life's demands and pressures, God invites us to intentionally still and quiet our souls. When we let our soul rest in God's presence, we no longer come to him as an infant scrambling for sustenance or demanding his attention and action. Instead, we become like a content older child who just wants to be near for the sake of the relationship. -Mindy Caliguire, Soul Care
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SOMETHING LEARNED
If the Old Testament leaves you daunted and dazed, if the New Testament seems completely unrelated to those first 39 books, The Story of Scripture will turn your faith walk upside down and inside out. I can't speak highly enough of Dr. Mark Yarbrough's presentation, a fascinating journey through the Word of God that connects Genesis right up through Revelation.
After eleven in-person sessions in one weekend, I left with a whole new biblical worldview, in awe of God's covenant plan for those who love Him. Finally, all the pieces fit together.
This course taught by Dallas Theological Seminary President Yarbrough is now FREE online. Yarbrough is a dynamic combination of scholar theologian, gifted leader, and enthusiastic storyteller. Click here to check out the course. Is it time for you to go back to school?
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SOMETHING AHEAD
Something's going on in the blogging world. People are shifting gears. Link Up gatherings aren't what they used to be. Some writers are heading off for greener pastures while others are exploring fresh creative outlets in other social media venues.
The pressures of family life, health challenges, and work responsibilities cramp our style and drain us dry. We lose heart, passion, and focus. It's not uncommon for former prolific blogging dynamos to simply fizzle out, fading from view without a trace or a farewell.
But despite all this, I do believe that 'old-school blogging' is not only here to stay but is beginning to re-emerge as a force to be reckoned with. I'm hearing of people disillusioned with FB and Insta and whatever Twitter is calling itself these days. There's a yearning for good solid writing and old-fashioned dialogue. Less competition and comparison, more collaboration and community building.
All that said, I'm pulling the pieces together for my next venture. I'm anything but technologically literate so I'm immersing myself in a labor of love that's stirred with a hefty dollop of apprehension. (You might remember that I almost lost not one but two websites all within a span of five minutes. And I actually lost my entire subscriber list three years ago in the bowels of the internet. What a train wreck. Thankfully, many of you hung on with me and God has blessed this work.)
Anyway, you, my faithful sojourners, will be the first to know what's next. I'm kind of excited about what He has in store. I'll be back in a week or two. Maybe three? I've learned not to rush into anything new but to honor my need to move slowly.
Grace and space.
I think you'll like what's coming down the pike. Hold your breath, say a prayer, stay tuned.
It's o'dark thirty as I tap a few words to you, friends. The sun hasn't risen yet and maybe she won't today. But I'm so very happy you're here. The past few weeks kept me swept up in a whirlwind, incredibly packed and lifegiving, intense and miraculous and long. I'm beginning to feel like I can breathe deeply again (literally, after a nasty autumn cold which created a swollen eyelid that left me looking like a cyclops, a rather scary sight for those I met on Zoom. Sorry.)
Anyway ... a rare event has opened up as I look to the days ahead.
I looked at my calendar yesterday and there's absolutely nothing to be seen for the week ahead. Nada. Those little boxes are completely gorgeously free and empty. No appointments, no meetings, no must-dos, not a single thing. You know how much I gravitate toward wide open white space.
It'll be fun to see what opens up. I have a few ideas and some hopeful hopes.
'Every part of creation, from the smallest of insects to the mountains in all their grandeur, proclaims the unspoken glory of God. Every living creature, rock, grain of sand, and mountain stream was created for a specific purpose. God wants to use the world around us to declare His glory, goodness, and love for us. May we take the time to open our eyes and hearts, to slow down for a minute and behold the beauty of our God in all that He has made.'
Stop for one moment and step outside. Yes, right now. Look around and breathe deep. Close your eyes and listen. What is God's handiwork whispering about our Creator?
Literally. It's close to 9 o'clock at night and I'm sprawled out on the sofa under a twenty-five year old quilt, twinkle lights aglow, draped around the ceiling's cobwebbed edge. What could be more fun on this loveliest of early fall evenings than tapping merrily away and ferreting out the best-est goodies for you to explore.
I appreciate you letting me make a weekly appearance (or 2) in your already crowded inbox and hope that even if you've been around here for awhile, our visits are still worth your valuable time. If you like what's happening here, please forward this to two or three friends and encourage them to subscribe!
The welcome mat is always out and the door wide open for you ... and you ... and you, too.
And the orange hearts sprinkled here and there this weekend? I hear they stand for comfort, care, and serenity + love, admiration, and support.
Thank you for speaking those gifts into my life. I hope you'll always sense a bounty of the same from my heart to yours. We have become these things for each other only by the grace of Jesus.
7 years later, I remember writing The Sheer Joy of Puttering. It remains one of my favorite essays ever. (And yes, it was fun to find your names in the comments. I love that we're still sticking together all these years later. Let's hear it for the blogging life.)
And these 2 videos - one creatively speaks biblical clarity, the other crashes against pride and blame 🠞
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Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Thomas Chisholm 1923
No matter what the season or time of day, may we be quick to rejoice over God's endless goodness and generous kindness in our lives.
SOMETHING READ / questions 'I think our calling is found in discovering where we are uniquely gifted and positioned to reveal God’s character and bring about healing, hope, and restoration in our lives and relationships. What makes your heart race? What aspects of God’s kingdom do you long to see more of in this world? What injustices do you ache to be made right? Your calling is most often embedded in those very places where your heart is naturally drawn toward and broken by.' Melissa Brownback
SOMETHING LEARNED / follow-up Remember On Marshmallows, Mushrooms, and Monotasking? Well in the seven weeks since I wrote that essay, I've amped up the healthy eating, embraced listing/bunching/batching tasks, and bravely ventured forward in some med tweaks suggested by my doctor. Without any apologies, I'm claiming extra grace and space for a few days before and after large gatherings, deep conversations, and significant events.
(Tim and I hosted a potluck supper for our church's Stephen's Ministry team of 20 this past weekend and it was a zero-stress, sheer joy occasion. I loved every minute - the quiet readying of the house, the gathering itself, the slow process of tidying up. I felt the calming rhythm of the Spirit's kind presence before, during, and after.)
I'm noticing that on the whole my mind is clearer, although don't be surprised if I ask your name if there's a lot going on in my head or commotion happening around us. Many have agreed with me on this name thing, with great relief to know they're not the only one. I do believe that putting difficult subjects on the table ... in writing and empathetic conversation ... serves as a path toward greater clarity, fresh options, and wise choices.
All glory to the Helper and the Healer of our souls. Every moment we gently cradle is only by His grace. Jesus is The Name that never escapes my heart or slips my mind.
SOMETHING AHEAD / prayer
Now it's your turn to talk about what's made your September memorable! How God has surprised you, what He's been whispering. Is He inviting you to something deeper, more substantial?
Summer is over and done. And I couldn't be happier.
1. the hood I often throw a sweatshirt over my shoulders when heading out in the evenings. But this week I actually put it on ... and pulled the hood up. Brrr.
2. the jeans I slipped on a pair for the first time in 5 months. They still fit. Hello long pants again.
3. the acorns The oaks are lavishly dispensing the fruit of their labors. Walk barefoot outside at your own risk.
4. the fuzzy throw We grabbed a one in the middle of the night and spread it on the bed. Next step? Flannel sheets. A few weeks later? The electric blanket.
5. the closed signs We craved some ice cream. I lost count how many shops we drove by before we found one open. The party's over.
6. the biscuits I just had to make biscuits for supper. No question in my mind. It's been months since I baked. And oh they were so delicious.
7. the slipper socks I quietly grabbed a pair as soon as I rolled out of bed. I couldn't get them on quick enough.
8. the morning candle I lit my first of the season. Its cozy scent and flickering flame warmed the dawn with its glow, a perfect lead-in to a quiet devotional time.
9. the tea For the first time since late spring, I grabbed one of my favorite mugs and filled it with steaming Earl Gray laced with a hefty drizzle of honey.
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BONUS
a 2019 repeat performance of a fun series sponsored by The Nester
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