“…Scripture without prayer has no soul; prayer without Scripture has no substance.”
– Eugene Peterson
I’m coming to agree with Eugene Peterson, perhaps we cannot disentangle prayer from God’s Word, there is a twining together, as God embodies His Word.
Scripture becomes the seeds for my prayers. “The seed is the Word of God.” (Luke 8: 11)
Entering the church at my dear friend’s wedding some 28 years ago, I was met by an unexpected sight – a live cow stood in a stall, directly behind the front doors – in the center of the entry hall; right next to the guest book. It might have been the smell I remember best.
The point of the cow was to tell everyone that this was a ten cow wife.
No ordinary woman, but a precious and treasured woman, worth not one, but ten cows.
The bride had grown up as a missionary kid in Africa where her dad was a long time bush pilot. My friend had stood out among the native tribes – with her long ash blond hair and sweet disposition – she was seen as a catch. Her dad had been approached on several occasions with offers of marriage for his beautiful daughter, once being offered the large sum of a whole ten cows as a bride price.
It’s a new day.
2020 is behind us and aren’t we ready to step forward onto new ground? I’m longing for a return to something – many people are calling it ‘a return to normal’ – but, truly, I’m longing for something more.
This past week my daughter came home from her Midwest home where she attends graduate school for a much needed family time. It felt almost like a family huddle – we drew near – we sat close….ahhhh (I did wear my mask and we each did a 2 week quarantine prior) – it was much needed time after the past several months for our family.
The day of her arrival I couldn’t eat breakfast, I lost my appetite in my excitement. Then, I left for the ferry in my house slippers and didn’t notice until I was part way to the mainland, and it was too late to change! Her coming home entirely discombobulated me. [Read more…]
True fact – I have a tough time giving thanks during Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
I get a sense I’m not alone in this – particularly in this unprecedented year of 2020, with all the loss and isolation and divisions that have marked the year .
I know if you and I look at our circumstances, most particularly, the new holiday restrictions, lock-downs, stay-at-home orders, pandemic fears, family worries and losses, our natural responses probably tend to be far from thankful. [Read more…]
You may have noticed it’s been a bit quiet in this corner of the world. It’s true. I’m one of those people who when facing life’s hardest stuff – I get quiet – I don’t move, perhaps if I stop it will somehow go away?
I’ll be honest, I’ve wrestled with whether to share this as I’m a deeply private person. Getting personal has been a repeated struggle for me in writing. I think that’s why my words kinda stopped this month, because I wasn’t ready to be real and I must. So, here goes…. [Read more…]
