Kintsugi. I only learned about this recently, but it’s the Japanese tradition of repairing broken pottery using liquid gold, silver or platinum. The precious metals forever demonstrate the site of prior cracks, but their presence creates wholeness and adds value to what would otherwise be rubble. I have thought about
In the midst of trying to think of a way to open our discussion about why encouraging words matter, and about the necessity – and urgency – of speaking them, the unthinkable happened. We unexpectedly lost our beloved friend, LGG translator, leader, and role model Edurne. Edurne was an encourager
“Well, here we are . . .” Dave Garroway, the original host of NBC’s Today show, opened the very first airing with these words on January 14, 1952. They were originally spoken with anxious anticipation of good things to come, but when I read or listen to the news today,
“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” – Psalm 1:6 For me, this first Psalm is such a simple but profound summary of much of the Gospel. It points us towards pursuing Christ and walking in righteousness. I am a
It’s the end of the first week of school around here. Everyone’s tired. Everyone’s grouchy. And I had one of those afternoons with my kids where my patience was thin and I had just had enough. Enough of telling them not to fight, and to pick up toys, and to
Life is hard. It’s complicated. It’s messy. I have a friend who was unexpectedly, prematurely widowed. A friend who is an alcoholic but won’t admit it. Several friends fighting cancer in their thirties. A friend in the throes of an affair. A friend who’s been abandoned by his family. And
Money can be uncomfortable to talk about, so let’s talk about donuts first. Do most people like donuts? Yes. Can donuts make you happy? Only in a fleeting, earthly way. Will donuts hurt you? Depends. Eating one occasionally won’t hurt you, but eating too many too often isn’t a great
You don’t have to earn God’s love. In fact, you can’t. I am a perfectionist, and I’ll admit that it took me an embarrassingly long time to fully embrace this aspect of my faith. I have an intense work ethic when I want to do something, and a competitive drive
I started writing this blog two days after Christmas, on an icy West Texas morning, sitting on the side of I-20. We had just finished rendering aid at two separate rollover wrecks that we watched happen. The verses haunted – and humbled – me again as I sat at the
Working out. Just the phrase makes me feel lazy these days. I’m out of shape and I know it, so the task of working out looms and feels overwhelming. When I say this, I’m daunted thinking about lacing up my running shoes in this chilly fall air. The phrase is