Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I spent the morning thinking about what I value. I asked myself what the why is behind what I write. I came to the conclusion that I value peace in relationships, overcoming conflict and trouble and helping others overcome conflict and trouble. I value honoring the Imago Dei in people … Continue reading What I wrote in 2021 and what I dream about writing in 2022
Marriage
Learn from my mistakes
I've been married for over 26 years to a man I deeply love, a man who doesn't love Jesus with me. Through our hard marriage, God has helped me see the error of my ways and led me in better ways when it comes to loving my husband. This morning, one of the typical tests … Continue reading Learn from my mistakes
Christ will redeem what seems like will never happen
Tonight after 13 hours at the hospital, I walked out my back door with my dog Lukas, and we made our way, as usual, the half acre back to where the chickens and goats were already roosting and chewing their cud under the stars. While I was filling up their empty water buckets, despising the … Continue reading Christ will redeem what seems like will never happen
Where the beauty of God is found: Meditation on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! -Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV Last summer, after a week long vacation with my family … Continue reading Where the beauty of God is found: Meditation on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
My Psalm
How long? How many more days do I have to cry bitterly asking you how long? My heart is sick my hope is deferred my heart hopes for what I can't conjure. How long must I try to find a quiet place to get away from the constant strain of this yoke pulling me one … Continue reading My Psalm
When they asked who’s my one
You've been my one since that day in the car when I was trying to teach you the things Jesus taught me at 16. And then we got married. And, when I was hungry for a feast, where the good news is served like roast beef and potatoes, and the bread and wine are broken … Continue reading When they asked who’s my one
When you feel like you’re endlessly marching around a wall
"Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going … Continue reading When you feel like you’re endlessly marching around a wall
Sermon notes: Stay married like you’re not. Stay single like you’re not…
Today my pastor preached from a section of scripture that stirs up all kinds of conversations and historical prudish or bizarre teachings about sex, marriage and singleness. Despite the potential for dangerous interpretation, he did a great job of bringing the truth to light. I was keenly interested in this message because the section of … Continue reading Sermon notes: Stay married like you’re not. Stay single like you’re not…
What my unbelieving friend and I have in common: doubt
My husband is my friend. For almost 25 years we've shared a bed, a home and all the dirty humanity we can't groom or hide in those shared spaces. And although we don't share a worshipful response to Christ, we do have something very much in common: doubt. I listened to the end of a … Continue reading What my unbelieving friend and I have in common: doubt
God’s sovereignty and bridges
We went to the gym as a family today. It's a new stage of life for us. Both of our sons are now tall young men. My husband is the resident personal trainer and all things fitness in our family. If it were up to me, we'd all just put on flip-flops and go for … Continue reading God’s sovereignty and bridges
Sheila Dougal 