Thoughts on a Friday

God is not an art critic who makes aesthetic judgments, nor is God a philosopher who issues metaphysical definitions or decrees.  Rather, God is more like a cantor who chants His Creation into existence and rejoices everlastingly over its beautiful harmony.  His song continues, and its melody moves and inspires humankind to restore beauty and…

Christmas gifts

I just finished my Christmas shopping yesterday and am working on my last handmade gift.  Hooray! If you’re still working on getting the right presents for all the people on your list, here are a few suggestions (updated slightly from last year’s version of this post). Fairly-traded items For unique gifts with an international flair,…

Thankful

Thankful today for grace, lots and lots of grace…

Thankful

Thankful for the fragrance of German Apple Cake baking in the oven, so wonderful both to smell and to eat!

Thankful

Thankful today for the grace that’s brought me to where I am and for all I’ve learned along the way.

Thankful

Today I’m thankful for my brothers: for their faith for humoring me and playing games games I think are cool even if they don’t really like them for their sense of humor for their music for all the times we’ve gotten to hang out together for making me laugh and laughing with me for their…

Thoughts on a Friday

…we are ‘splendid, never-to-be-duplicated stories of grace.’ -Eugene Petersen (quoted by James Bryan Smith in The Good and Beautiful Community)

First frost

Made time before the first frost to pick the last of the flowers and pot the basil and the parsley.  So cheery now in the kitchen!

Late summer beauties

Neighbors

I had just read about loving your neighbor as yourself. I was reflecting on what that means as I puttered around shutting up the house and thinking of little ways that I try to live this out.  As I left the house and started walking to work, I began wondering about the handful of men…

Rich, indeed

Feeling very wealthy today.  It’s been an afternoon of running errands and tidying up interspersed with: a long nap delicious leftovers interesting listening on the radio Lithuanian tea and chocolates, gifts from a friend refreshing the vases with free flowers from the back yard writing a few checks (so grateful to be able to give…

Thoughts on a Friday

Nothing better to say today, than to recommend these words of Ann Voskamp’s because they’re important and moving and worth the pondering…