Encouraging Deep Roots

Ministry can be tiring and there can be moments of wanting to throw in the towel. But then there are also those moments when someone's life is changed and I think, "There it is." "This is the reason I keep pressing on." There were a few of those "aha" moments this past weekend. I opened up my Bible to read this morning and this was the passage I landed on.  Psalm 116:12-14 ~  How can I repay the  Lord  for all the good he has done for me?  I wil take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the  Lord .  I  will fulfill my vows to the  Lord in the presence of all his people. God has been so good to me despite my inadequacies. I want to continue to press into the calling He gave me so many years ago. His goodness is there even when I forget to recognize it.  It's there in the good times and the bad. It's there when others praise you or when they criticize. It's there in times of abundance or times of scarcity.  David is asking a q...

I leave later this morning for my weekend retreat and I'm enjoying the peace and solititude before the busyness begins. It's about a 4  & 1/2 hour car ride with stops. I really don't mind driving as it gives me time to reflect and pray or listen to music and podcasts. I'm leaving a day early because I'm staying with a friend and this way I'm not traveling and jumping right into the weekend. I can have a slow start tomorrow morning and take my time setting up. I love the many layers of these events. I enjoy prepping and event-planning. Of course, as with any sort of event-planning, no matter how organized I am there is always something that goes awry. Someone doesn't read all the information or there is a snafu thrown into the mix. But for the most part, I'm prepared and am praying that it's a good weekend. The main thing I'm praying is that God would help me keep my eyes and ears open and that I would be able to listen well to others so that ...

Normally, I sit down on Monday and reflect on the things I'm thankful for in my life. Yesterday was a busy day and so I'm doing this a day late, but sometimes you just need to stop and say, "Thank you!" Ministry: I have a district-wide fall retreat coming up this weekend and have been busy putting together all the finishing touches on that. Usually, I start having dreams around this time that center around me being unprepared so I'm amazed that hasn't happened.  I also have to prepare three messages for a conference I'm speaking at in Texas the second weekend in October. It's coming up quickly and I really was starting to get concerned, because while I know what I'm speaking on, I didn't have anything down on paper. However, yesterday I sat down at my laptop and was amazed that two out of the three  messages came together. That's usually a sign that I have gotten out of the way, and allowed the Lord to give me what He wants me to say. My pl...

The fog was hanging in the valley as I went for an early morning walk yesterday. It was still and peaceful and incredibly beautiful.  I was reminded once again of the importance of disconnecting from the blaring voices of social media and just keep my focus on the Lord. It's been a stressful week in many ways which revs up my anxiety, and I know that it is important for me to stay connected to the source of my strength. I received a text from a friend who was going through a difficult time with someone and asked for prayer navigating the relationship. As I was walking and praying for her, I felt my anxiety calming down, and God reminded me that I need to be an instrument of His peace. That simple act of praying for another was the catalyst for my own inner peace. God's word tells us that being a peacemaker is the task of anyone who is a Christ-follower. We can read it over and over again in Scripture. Matthew 5:9 ~   "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called ch...

I cannot believe it's mid-September already. We are entering into the time of the year that is my favorite. I love all the colors and it's been beautiful. We are in a bit of drought, but the weather has been gorgeous. This weekend was probably one of the most relaxing that I've had in a long time. I wasn't canning or processing anything. I didn't have an agenda. I just relaxed. That's a good thing because I have major things going on for the next 5 weekends in a row.  The geese are starting to fly. The squirrels and chipmunks are busy collecting nuts. The bees are still busy collecting pollen. I've been getting out and walking as much as possible each day. I've also been a lot of my work out on the back patio. It's peaceful as long as my neighbors aren't out there mowing or blowing leaves. I have to laugh because almost every single time I sit out there someone decides that is the moment to do yard work.  It's pumpkin and squash season and ou...

I'm a fairly sensitive person and the emotional level of the internet is just too much this week with all that's going on in the news.  Yesterday and this afternoon, I headed out to enjoy the quiet. I was alone and it was good to spend time taking in the sights and sounds and just reflecting and praying. I felt some of the stress abating and came home feeling less unsettled. Sometimes alone is a good place to be and silence is golden.

This year has been strange to say the least, and has not gone exactly the way I expected. A good chunk of the first part of 2025 was spent helping with my in-laws before my mother-in-law passed away the day after Easter. And as we are entering into the last part of 2025 I think the word, mindful, is an accurate description of how the year as gone so far. In fact, I was browsing in a local book store and found this book entited, A Mindful Year. It is a journal of daily writing prompts and I just started it the other day.  I've worked at being intentional in many of the areas of my life and I think "mindful" is a good word to use.  I've been mindful in taking time to pray, read, and hear what God is saying to me.  I've been mindful in getting in many days of exercise each week, especially getting out and walking and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. I've been intentional with family and taking time for them. I've been mindful in my other relationship...