It’s morning on the third day. The tomb is empty. And the Eleven (once Twelve) are gathered to hear the bizarre, perplexing stories of Jesus appearing to the women, to Peter, and to the two from Emmaus (Luke 24:33-35). Confusion reigns where shock and grief still consume – “We had hoped that he was theContinue reading "God of Hope: Transcendent and Immanent"
God of Hope: Just and Merciful
This Lent I’ve been fasting from television in the evenings – with the exception of watching The Chosen. I just can’t get over seeing the story of my Savior unfold with such emotion. The writers have captured so much of what we’ve been exploring in this space during Lent – namely, the paradoxical nature ofContinue reading "God of Hope: Just and Merciful"
God of Hope: Incomprehensible and Approachable
Years ago, my husband, my parents, and I attended the “Indescribable Tour,” an evening of worship with Chris Tomlin and teaching with Louie Giglio. It was a night of stargazing – not the celebrity sort, but the celestial. Like the Psalmist who said, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moonContinue reading "God of Hope: Incomprehensible and Approachable"
God of Hope: All-Powerful and Patient
We humans, we’re just not good at waiting. It’s why we honk at slow drivers, tap our toes as we wait in line, and even shout our impatience at the train blocking the intersection. God, however, is consistently described as patient – slow to anger, and long-suffering. There’s no yelling coming down from heaven whenContinue reading "God of Hope: All-Powerful and Patient"
God of Hope: Sovereign and Good
Years ago, I was part of a teaching team that led a Christian “basics” class. One particular session offered discussion prompts around the idea of God’s lordship, such as: “God runs a kingdom not a democracy.” “In a democracy, the leaders represent the people; in a kingdom, the people represent the king.” For many, thisContinue reading "God of Hope: Sovereign and Good"
God of Hope: Holy and Loving
When we give ourselves space to think about who God is, we can sometimes get caught up in a mental game of tug-of-war because we can’t quite discern if He is this or that. Is He full of wrath or slow to anger? Is He to be feared or trusted? Is He holy or loving? Continue reading "God of Hope: Holy and Loving"
God of Hope: Human and Divine
Welcome to Lent. In these next seven weeks leading up to Easter, we will intentionally slow our hearts and minds and bodies so that we can reflect on who God is – especially in the midst of the tensions that exist within us and around us. And, as we do, we will discern God’s wayContinue reading "God of Hope: Human and Divine"
Cultivate: Planting for Hope
How many times have you heard the adage, “You reap what you sow?” How many times have you seen it fulfilled? All the time – that’s why it’s proverbial. In my own life, if I sow much sugar into my body, I reap much pain and discomfort. If I sow a steady diet of socialContinue reading "Cultivate: Planting for Hope"
Cultivate: Hope’s Level Ground
I may not like gardening, but I delight in a beautifully landscaped yard. So, when we moved into our Oklahoma home, my husband and I actually took great pleasure in the hard work of filling flowerbeds, hoisting rocks into the just right positions, and throwing down that top layer of fresh mulch. But there wasContinue reading "Cultivate: Hope’s Level Ground"
Cultivate: Tilling for Hope
I don’t love cooking, but I do love eating a homemade meal. So I cook. In much the same way, I don’t love gardening, but I do love eating fresh, homegrown veggies. So I go to the farmer’s market. Ha! However, there were a couple of summers that my gardener husband had time and energyContinue reading "Cultivate: Tilling for Hope"