The tide was coming in that morning as I strolled the Cabo San Jose beach. I followed a popular path along the water’s edge, the dry, rumpled sand cool to my feet. Suddenly a large wave surged ashore. When it receded, I stood still and marveled at the transformation. An unspoiled, pristine beach now stretched before me, as if I’d...
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my...
I don’t want to presume God’s motives for allowing the coronavirus pandemic. However, if He’s thinking that his kids need to be put on timeout because of the way they’ve been behaving, well, who could blame Him? For one thing, our hell-driven stampede down the road of hate and divisiveness was going nowhere good. I do have to say that,...
So . . . I have never done a book review, but I am making an exception here. And this review is for a book with the worst title, Delighting in the Trinity. Now doesn’t that sound boring? But. Oh my goodness. How does it impact our faith that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit enjoy such happiness together...
My parents met in Switzerland on a blind date. Six weeks later they got engaged, and my father returned to America. As a German refugee, my mother had lost everything. The thought of leaving her new life and starting over again was overwhelming, but she navigated the one-year immigration process and then traveled alone to the United States. She trusted...
It was dusk as I stood mesmerized at the kitchen window earlier this month. What was that black shadow moving against the horizon in constantly shifting shapes? It has to be a large flock of birds, I thought, though as a born-and-raised Oregonian I had never seen this phenomenon before. The fluttering dark specks looked like a school of fish...
Have you struggled against spiritual sleepiness, aware of an unexplained urgency? As I’ve talked with people, urgency feels like an underlying theme. It makes me wonder if the wind of the Spirit is blowing through the church saying, “Wake up! Get yourself ready for what is to come!” WARNING Luke 21:34-36 says about the last days, “Be careful, or your...
It seems that every year at Christmas my mother laments, “What can I give you? You have everything.” She loves to give and feels sad that I have no pressing material needs. In her mind, how can her gift delight, surprise, and overwhelm me with joy if there is little need? I try to reassure her how much her gifts...
Do not be afraid to ask, “Are you having suicidal thoughts?” Be direct. Be empathetic. Listen without judgment. Assess risk. Check in often. It shows you care. Do not be afraid to act if risk is high. Unsure what to do and need advice? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for input (1-800-273-8255). BASICS OF ASSESSING CRISIS The following questions...
What does your name mean? Do you like your name? On the simplest level, names are labels to distinguish one person from another. But names mean so much more than that; they also connect to identity. Essence In Judaism, your given name is considered prophetic to some extent, defining your essence; it’s seen as the key to your soul. Thus,...
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Ruth Wood
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