Profile view of a woman standing in a field under a blue-and-gold sky, her head back, hands uplifted as if in grateful prayer

Celebrating God at his appointed times

  • Post category:Times and Seasons
  • Post last modified:October 7, 2025

Long ago, God designed three times of celebration, times when his people, still today, can say to the press and the stress of life: “You wait a minute, while I delight in the Lord.”

A slice of cinnamon raisin bread, broken into two pieces, and a cup of coffee with cream on a white tray

The flappable Deborah Bread

  • Post category:Living LifeMy Story
  • Post last modified:May 29, 2025

Something deep within me cries to be unflappable. But, as this incident from years ago reminds me, flapping can lead to laughing.

Beautiful blue rock dove

A validation blessing

  • Post category:Living Life
  • Post last modified:March 13, 2024

“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places of the mountain crags, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” (Song 2:14 NET)

Back view of woman with brimmed straw hat, standing in field of tall grass, her arms outstretched at her side, her face toward the setting (or rising?) sun

Cries of the shunned

In the middle of that dark-valley time, I often found myself alone with God, crying aloud and writing passionately in my journal. During that time too, I came to identify with David, the shepherd-poet-warrior-king, in ways I had not before. For David was also ostracized by people he trusted. And he cried out in distress - and in faith.

Map of Europe that shows the western part of the Soviet Union and the places there where I went in 1991.

From the Black Sea to Red Square

Thirty years after I first heard this song - and visited these places - I'm listening again and crying and praying again for the peoples of Ukraine and Russia.

Sun rises in an orange sky above a mountain slope that ends in the sea

Radiant! A glory story

When all seemed lost, Moses pressed in: To know the character and ways of God. To live in his Presence, to seek his face, to see and reflect his glory. May your heartcry echo that of Moses. And even when you do not realize it, may you become ever more radiant because you have been with your Lord.

From cover of Return to Your Rest: new growth on a tree, with slender green leaves

The blessing of rest

Real rest is so different from what I had thought. It’s so much more expansive, and desirable, and enjoyable. And it’s so very vital. Thing is, I desperately needed real rest long before I knew I needed it. I had no clue how rest-deprived I was.

Two deer drink from a mountain stream that runs through a wooded valley beside a gray slat fence. A shaft of sunlight shines down from above.

My cup overflows: Resting in God’s favor

I praise you, Lord my Shepherd. You have overcome for me all the shame that ever has or ever will attach to me. You are teaching me to overcome it too. By your grace, I drink deeply of your favor, and it restores my rest.