Today’s Reflection APPRECIATING LIFE’S GOODNESS does not mean we become Pollyannas who deny life’s difficult realities and opt for superficial platitudes. In our mourning, as we allow God to comfort us, we come to see that others mourn too. The God who weeps with and for us longs for fullness of ... Continue

Today’s Reflection TIME OUT.That’s enough.No moreof this angry stuff. Continue

Today’s Reflection WHAT WOULD YOU SAY is the most frequent command in Scripture? “Be good”? “Be holy”? Or, negatively, “Don’t be immoral”? No. The most frequent command in the Bible is: “Don’t be afraid.” “Fear not.” … The command not to fear is a practical application of a major biblical theme: trusting ... Continue

Today’s Reflection RECENTLY, my family suffered a tragedy and was faced with having to move at the same time. I wrote this poem to express my gratitude for church members who became God for us in a physical way. We felt God’s eyes look down today,when women brought the lunch buffet.It was ... Continue

Today’s Reflection LIVING GODWARD implies a sense of direction—and it involves the recognition that the journey continues. … Living Godward asserts the relationship of hope to discipleship. Hope is its motive, not its substitute. Like faith, hope without works is dead. … Thinking Godward without living Godward is wishy-washy. -John Indermark Hope: Our ... Continue

Today’s Reflection DEAR CREATOR, I pray that I may be of service to you and your people. I ask for courage in times of uncertainty and self-doubt. I surrender to you my old notions of who I thought I should be or could be. May I trust in your plan. Lead me safely on this journey so that I may ... Continue

Today’s Reflection OVER THE YEARS I collected many china dish patterns and interesting silver and copper serving pieces to make the dinner table feel special. Now I sometimes worry that I spent too much time polishing and scrubbing instead of coloring or playing games with the children. Even so, I feel ... Continue

Today’s Reflection WHEN I WAS TWELVE, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, an autoimmune disease that attacks the intestines and stomach. I had to grow up fast. I took twelve pills a day, one of which made my face and stomach swell. I dreaded going to school, knowing that all the ... Continue

Today’s Reflection 10 Ways to Disagree Without Fighting Listen first. Hear the other person’s viewpoint without interrupting or arguing. Try to see the other point of view How would you feel if you were in their shoes? Be patient as the other person expresses views. Think before you speak. Then state your view calmly. Be ... Continue

Today’s Reflection YEARS AGO at a retreat one of the women told us a story that changed my spiritual life. I have so often told and written about this story. She had rescued an abandoned, frightened young dog who had not only been abused, but also half drowned. He desperately needed cleansing ... Continue