The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

How many of us in the West have been invited to prayer training of various sorts? Theophostic prayer. Release of generational curses. Inner healing. Breathing techniques. Lectio divina. Contemplative prayer. The prayer of faith or “name it and claim it.” Some of these...
Lay Your Burdens Down

Lay Your Burdens Down

The doctor steepled his hands. “You’re showing signs of pre-eclampsia. If you don’t rest, we’ll have to bring you into the hospital for the next two months.” I bounced my 13-month-old daughter on my lap. “Doctor, we have our meals in college with my husband. Is it...
What About When You Fail?

What About When You Fail?

Several years ago, I did the Scripture reading at church. Yes, I have done them since! Anyway, this one was about Abraham taking his beloved son up Mount Moriah, ostensibly to sacrifice him to the Lord. Of course, we know what happened: God provided a ram. But going...
The Nature and Necessity of Beauty

The Nature and Necessity of Beauty

Not so long ago, one of my granddaughters brought her little face up close to mine and inspected me carefully. “Grammy, you’re really old!” At another time, another one asked me why I don’t just let my hair be gray, seeing as I am ancient anyway. And just recently,...
Seasons Change

Seasons Change

Who of us remembers that song, “Turn Turn, Turn” with music by the Byrds and lyrics by King Solomon? I certainly listened to, and even memorized, it many years ago, when I was a child growing up in Iowa. If you want to hear it again, this is the link. From...
Blessed are Those Who are the Kingdom of God

Blessed are Those Who are the Kingdom of God

based on notes from teachings by Rev. David Pileggi Imagine… Imagine you are sitting on this hillside by Lake Tiberias (we know it as the Sea of Galilee). The sun is warm but the breeze from the lake keeps you from feeling too hot. You are seated with your friends, up...