Devotional

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 ESV) Hope is a funny thing. It is a confident expectation that a positive outcome will occur; it does not require a favorable situation to exist. It can exist in an unfavorable situation.  That’s faith. I’ve been…

One of the things taught in a wilderness survival course is that, if you find yourself lost, without a map, a compass, or other navigational device, the best thing you can do is pick an immovable object on the distant horizon, and keep that object always in view as you walk toward it. A…

I recently finished reading Rebekah Lyons’ Building a Resilient Life.  A book – much to its title’s credit – filled with practical advice of four steps to building a resilient life: 1.       Naming the pain – through honestly naming and acknowledging the hurt you have or are experiencing. 2.       Shifting the narrative – through replacing the…

There’s this expression among hikers, “trail magic,” which doesn’t mean what you might think.  Now, this term is actually most commonly used by long-distance hikers like those who traverse the lengths of the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. Your girl is NOT a through-hiker; more of a short-spurt and stop-and-smell-the-roses (or pet…

I’ve asked God the question a lot lately, “Why do I have to walk this season alone?” Please do not mistake me, I have had some amazing people come alongside me in the aftermath of my divorce.  But this is still a hard season. This is a lonely season – this is Dr. Seuss’…

I heard these song lyrics the other day, and they struck a chord: “Been lookin’ for You in the still and safe But I feel You most in the wildest place.” (Rebels, Influence Music & Michael Ketterer) If you know me, you know I’ve always loved wild places — the farther from people, noise,…

“It feels like you’re just waiting.” It felt like an accusation, like there was something wrong with me.  It agitated me.  It angered me.  I wasn’t just waiting.  I was… But all the actions that I felt like I was doing would only prove to the speaker that I was just waiting.  I was waiting to heal.  I was waiting…

On a recent hike, conversation slowly fell away, and what remained was silence. A big part of hiking is noticing. It’s early January. Snow still lingers from the New Year’s Eve storm, untouched in places; smooth and white, unbroken by footprints. Evergreen rhododendron leaves push through it, dark and glossy against the pale ground. …

“Now this is what the Lord says— the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel— “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not…

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2) I was reminded of these verses and something I wrote last year while…