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Shepherd and the Shadow
When I was a little girl, in addition to what everyone normally called me, occasionally my mom would call me “Shadow“, because I would follow my dad so closely. Shadow. I like the image that connotates…and, it reminds me of this… One of my dearest friends and I were having a conversation one day. We were discussing the painting of Jesus carrying a lamb around his neck. This painting has hidden depth, because lore has it that if a lamb is wayward and goes rogue, a diligent shepherd will break the lamb’s leg. While this sounds cruel, and PETA would have a meltdown at this, it is truly for the…
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Lift Your Voice
One day during the extreme lock-down – it was as if fear was a tangible thing…a slimy, force that was breathing sulfur all around. My neighborhood was quiet – too quiet. There were no jets flying into DFW. It was as though the world ground to a halt. It was as if paralysis had set in. It was hideous. I had bought a guitar recently…a pretty Martin acoustic that replicated a dearly loved one that I had gotten on my 11th birthday from my parents. It became a sword, a shield and a flame thrower. When I think of it now – it was almost like taking 5 smooth stones…
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Thresholds
The angels’ cries are echoing in my heart today, “Gloria in excelsis Deo!” Glory to God in the Highest! Our God has drawn near, not that He is ever far away. In fact, He is so near that without His presence our hearts would cease to beat. Every breath we breathe, every hair on our head, every thought and word (heaven help me!) are known. Does that stir your heart? I hope so. Today, as we have crossed another marker, let us rejoice! The current state of affairs humanly speaking may look grim. It may appear hopeless. Not so. We must look with our spiritual eyes. Through the grace and mercy…
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Ful and New
For the past few years, I’ve selected “My One Word” to carry with me for an entire year. It is chosen after consideration, thoughts and prayers. I was in a quandary in 2021, because I could not settle on a single word. The one word ended up not being an actual word, rather the suffix “ful”, which is used with words like: Grateful Wonderful Joyful Prayerful Beautiful Thankful Cheerful Truthful Skillful Hopeful Of course, there are other words on the “dark side”, which I stayed away from whenever possible. Still, I found myself being more aware of the positive side of being full.…
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Real Christmas
A portal was opened the day Jesus was born. God, in his Omnipotence forged a way to allow the finite to meet the Infinite. As He fulfilled the promises of ages past, wrapping Himself in the limitations of a human form, the “Word became flesh”. He changed everything in that instant. And yet, He remained God. It is stunning. This very act of creation and the physical being of Jesus transformed the dynamic in the heavenlies forever. No longer would Man be unable to reach a Holy, Sovereign and Omniscient God. Because of Jesus the Son, humanity now had a vehicle to step out of the snares of sin and…
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The Woodworkers
Imagination is a wonderful and powerful thing. Reading the Christmas story again reminds me how few details we have about the actual birth of Jesus. Was Mary in labor long? Did Joseph have experience delivering babies? Were there angels with them during this time – expectantly waiting and watching for the Messiah to be born? Did the Innkeeper have regrets after turning them away? Did Joseph ever doubt Mary’s faithfulness? Somehow, I don’t think so. This is where imagination comes in to play. Joseph. What a man he must have been! Much attention is given to Mary, but Joseph was also “chosen” and extraordinary. In fact, Joseph has been an…
