Words of Hope: Sifted

I have been meditating on a few lines I heard in my devotional about Peter and the devil. Jesus says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your...

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Words of Hope: Eyes of Cain

I have been thinking about unity and violence. How does the turn happen? For Cain it is losing his joy for being in union with his brother. He sees his own life separate, individual, and alien from Abel. He...

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Words of Hope: Multiplication

March 18th was the birthday of my beloved father. I have been crying on and off all week. March is our family’s birthday month, and Dad is deeply missed during this time. So much reminds me of him. I...

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Words of Hope: Zombie Revival

We read a gorgeous essay aloud as family members recently written by Albert Camus. He seems like a person I would have loved time with. A devout atheist who was full of gratitude and wonder. I think he will...

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Words of Hope: Forgiveness Revolution

At the conference Shann and I spoke at, we invited people to practice asking forgiveness. I role played with a woman who had been a Princeton professor for many years. Her eyes were incredibly empathetic. We both tried to...

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Words of Hope: Moments of Wonder

I sit watching about 20 robins congregating in the trees. They greet each other noisily and swoop continuously between my neighbor’s tree and mine.   They have bright red breasts and look so happy together. I feel the beauty of God...

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Words of Hope: Best Thought

One of Dad’s favorite hymns came on when I was listening to my Pray As You Go app. The words say, “Thou my best thought by day or by night.” I can’t believe how that tiny line summarizes the way forward,...

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Words of Hope: Brave the Wind

Driving through a beautiful college campus, I notice several ugly tree stumps in the middle of the landscaped meridian. They jut sideways with sharp points. I remember these trees. The trees, though flowering and covered in blossoms for spring...

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Words of Hope: Religion

I loved my conversation with a devout atheist on a recent flight. I think he enjoyed the conversation as well. It was never truculent or contentious but full of curiosity as we both worked to understand the other person’s...

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Words of Hope: Wrath

Our family recently listened to a sermon delivered on the wrath of God. If you cringe reading this, it was cringeworthy. The message was delivered in a one-hour yell, a screed full of blame, without self-reflection and self-responsibility. Shann,...

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