Neck-Craning Expectation
As the weather has warmed and the days have become longer, my wife and I have appreciated the opportunity to enjoy our deck in the evenings. As we sat outside for the first time this season, we chatted about the day, eagerly sharing the funny and the frustrating things that transpired.
During a lull in the conversation, I noticed a large . . .
Posted in: #assurance#guidance#peace
I Hear You
Not too long ago, my wife and I ventured deep into the land of Amazon, purchasing an Echo Dot and an Echo Show. We also bought programmable lightbulbs that we not only can adjust the brightness but also change the color simply with our voice.
Honestly, we thought the steepest part of the learning curve would be getting everything set up . . .
Posted in: #assurance#hope#intimacywithgod
The God Who is Willing to Go There
A few years ago, my wife and I were privileged to spend a long birthday weekend in South Carolina with two other couples. The large lakehouse was cozy and beautiful and the fellowship was rich and nourishing to my soul.
On one of our afternoon trips, we explored an incomplete railroad tunnel dug by hand into Stumphouse Mountain. The . . .
Posted in: #assurance#fear#healing
Take Out the Trash
We have a trashcan under our kitchen sink. It's an odd size in the fact that small garbage bags are too small and "kitchen size" bags are, well, too large. While we've opted to use the latter, the reality is that even when the trashcan is full, there is still room in the bag. So, we've gotten in the habit of pulling the partially filled bag . . .
Posted in: #assurance#characterdevelopment
A Divine "Shhh"
In my previous blog entry, "MASTERclass," I shared how the relationship between a vocal student and his operatic mentor, captured in this video clip, was analogous to our encounters with God. I must confess, however, that there was something that transpired that I did not include in that blog.
The incident happens right at . . .
Six Months Closer
Several months after my mom passed away, I scheduled an appointment with a dear brother who cuts my hair. It was good medicine to see him. Amidst the hustle and bustle of his salon, our conversation drifted from topic to topic carried along by his infectious joy, his tender heart, and his deep compassion.
As we continued to catch up, I . . .
Posted in: #assurance#grief#hope
Still...
Remembering the Story, Redeeming the Grief, and Reaping the Joy
One of the difficult parts of our transition from Pennsylvania to Tennessee was the reality that we would not often be able to visit the gravesite of our twin daughters. While we had the assurance that Amanda and Catherine are in heaven, we also recognized that the many undisturbed moments of graveside reflection in the serene beauty of . . .
Posted in: #assurance#grief#peace
