Passing Joy

I scout the land In search of joy Cold snow crunches Beneath my feet Crisp winter air Exposes each breath I press on in the cold

Prayer Journey — Broken Hearts Beyond Repair?

This morning broken hearts are on my mind dear God. Hearts shattered by those close to us. Hurt that seems like it will never go away. Pain that continually penetrates like a thorn in our side. Piercing pain that drains the life from us. Heal us Lord as only you can do. Fill us with […]

Shared Suffering, Shared Faith

Suffering is a part of life in this world. It is difficult to understand the reason we experience pain and grief. Like Job, we wrestle with why we experience anguish — trauma that causes us to cry out as Job did: “If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on […]

Prayer Journey — My Soul Weeps

I dig deep in my soul. I think your ways are my ways; your desires my desires. And yet I can feel distant from you God, not understanding why some things need to be the way they are — why the pain and suffering. It seems so unnecessary. I only desire for them to be […]

Bearing Fruit in the Land of our Suffering

I have always admired the way Joseph kept his focus on God even though his brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Throughout Genesis 39-45, from the point Joseph is sold by his brothers to when he is reconciled with his brothers, Joseph continually lets his devotion to God guide his decisions. Yet there is […]

Prayer Journey: Healing Balm

May you this day dear Lord, call out to those who are faithful to you. May they hear your voice to respond to the hurting. May they have eyes to see the pain in others. May they have ears to hear the cries of pain. Give them discernment to bring compassion to those ready for […]

Prayer Journey — Scars of Faith

The pain of past hurts is still there.The hurt of rejection. The laughter and judging eyes. The isolation, feeling rejected. But you rise up in this moment dear God to remind me you were there; to remind me you are here now. You long to show me your graciousness, your love. Even when I could […]

Morning Praise — Ancient Streams of Sorrow

The sun rises in the east. I feel the first rays of light warm my face, touching me with a golden glow. Your presence dear God awakens my soul. In this moment, I feel your Spirit envelope me. Joy fills me as I consider the love and grace you have lavished on me. The memories […]

Always by My Side

In the deepest, darkest pit You were there When all abandoned me You knew my grief When I was struck You felt the pain When fear paralyzed me You were beside me When others heckled me Your words soothed me When rejected, cast aside You pulled me near When tears engulfed me You wiped them […]

At the Cross

Suddenly we heard Jesus cry out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Indeed, I could not understand why God would allow such a brutal injustice.