Love… One Sip At A Time // A Valentine Tea Party
I started hosting tea parties in an older home propped as pretty as you please on the corner of a quiet street. A family of four in a two-bedroom, one-bath home made for a tight fit, and tea parties felt downright snug, but no one would change a thing. Some teas were scripture-based, and others celebrated holidays, but every time, the room filled with the scent of scones, floral tea, and...
Let’s Discuss the “B” Word
Self-disciplining, though rarely fun, is always beneficial. I have more than one area in my life in need of a clean sweep and a fresh start, but today I'm focusing on money. It's all God's. He simply allows us to steward it. Budgeting has never been my, shall we say, forte, but it is an integral part in managing God's money well (at least for us), so with my part of the budget I've...
Poetic Pause: End of Summer
End of Summer An agitation of the air, A perturbation of the light Admonished me the unloved year Would turn on its hinge that night. I stood in the disenchanted field Amid the stubble and the stones, Amazed, while a small worm lisped to me The song of my marrow-bones. Blue poured into summer blue, A hawk broke from his cloudless tower, The roof of the silo blazed, and I...
For Sale by God
Years ago I heard a pastor say that God could care less where a person lives or what house they decide to buy. I disagree. Sure, in the grand scheme of things, purchasing a particular home may not seem like much, but: God is sovereign. He alone knows our future. He alone knows if a house will become a home. He alone knows how one family could impact a particular neighborhood...
Celebrating Read-A-Book Day!
Reading. A true summer delight! In celebration of Read-A-Book Day, here are five of my recent, and not so recent, faves: 1. The Book. No other book was breathed into existence by a living and active God. Here are 23 creative reading plans. 2. Ordering Your Private World, Gordon MacDonald. Many books are written about organizing our time and schedules but this book focuses on...
Poetic Pause: George Arnold
“O sweet September, thy first breezes bring The dry leaf’s rustle and the squirrel’s laughter, The cool fresh air whence health and vigor spring And promise of exceeding joy hereafter.” —George Arnold Thinking of "cool fresh air" ushering its way into our days almost makes me giddy. How about you? Are you sad to see summer go or energized by what lies...
When Scripture Meets Sand
Last week's family beach trip created many "favorite" moments and life-long memories. Piper's first swim with grammy and pappa, late night set-back card games, boisterous boardgames, a-mazing seafood and seeing this sweet face first thing in the morning. My favorite time with God occurred one early morning when I ventured out alone to the shore, plunked down into my low-to-the-ground...
Five Ways to Squeeze the Most From Your Summer
As we prepare to enter the final month of summer, here are five ways we can squeeze the last drop of summer from our calendars: 1. Eat summer foods. Fresh tomatoes, watermelon, and other fruits and veges will soon be gone. Enjoy them now and freeze some for the winter too. 2. Enjoy the lazy days of summer. Grab your favorite book and head for your favorite place of...
Poetic Pauses: Egrets, by Karen Lucci
Egrets Egrets as inevitable As turtles and rare As turquoise snakes Sang along currents Of solitude Sand solicitously Entreating attentive Reflection Sinking through shadows Penetrating waters Pale as March Like lead they fell Splitting water Like pine logs 'til motionless the water Deep and sharp Straight to the heart Arising again death Gripped spun up Like a cockcrow Breaking night. -...
Cathy Baker
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