& seeking to walk in His ways ~ Joshua 22:5
The darkness of circumstances surrounding our family is oppressive and it frequently seems there is no light in sight. Recently I once again spent substantial time in the Psalms crying out to God, but was still feeling crushed by the darkness pressing in around us. I pleaded with God to meet me in His Word, and in … Continue reading Walking In Darkness
Scott and Sarah loved quoting movie lines to each other. A large portion of their quotes came from The Princess Bride and Elf. Pretty much every day as she was telling him good bye or good night she would tell him, "Have fun storming the castle!" (from The Princess Bride), to which he would reply, "I hope … Continue reading The Hypocrisy of Grief
The primary purpose of the MZBC Botswana mission trip was to be a vision trip to explore and understand specific ministry opportunities in Gaborone, Botswana. Serving in Gaborone is particularly exciting because there are so many options for partnering. Below are some of the opportunities for partnering, but not all. Brent and Amanda Turner (missionaries … Continue reading Botswana: Opportunities for Partnership
"Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda." Proverbs 25:20 [ESV] Some precious friends who also know the horrific sting of child loss were recently sent a post on social media outlining how they must choose joy and not … Continue reading Why I Won’t Say “Choose Joy”
"Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who … Continue reading Hope Fixed Completely
"I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." Colossians 4:18 [ESV] The clear focus and mission of our Botswana trip, and the confidence that we were in the center of God's will in being there was refreshing to my soul. Coming home where the specifics of … Continue reading Remember My Chains
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose." Romans 8:28 [NASB] My finite mind is incapable of conceiving how our infinite God is capable of working the truth of Romans 8:28 out in the lives of … Continue reading Botswana: A Family Calling
"My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" Psalm 119:28 [ESV] As I was meditating on part of Psalm 119 recently, verse 28 (above) resonated deeply within my heart. We have no way of knowing with certainty the specific source of the Psalmist's sorrow in this text. Though some speculate about … Continue reading Soul Melting Sorrow
Not many weeks after Sarah's death, another bereaved parent shared that the second year is actually harder than the first. I vividly remember the horror of that statement washing over me in the moments that followed. At that point I was still struggling to sleep more than an hour or two at a time. When … Continue reading The Second Year is Harder?
"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with Thee, A sojourner like all my fathers." Psalm 39:12 [NASB] This month has been tremendously painful. Senior Prom, Mother's Day, Graduation festivities, and the constant yet staggering unavoidable awareness that this is … Continue reading “A Stranger With Thee”
