The last time I saw my general physician, I’d asked him, “Don’t you think there is something wrong that is causing all of these different chronic illnesses? Something you’re missing that’s the root cause?” Several years ago, internal inflammation entered my life and was addressed with a bandaid solution from apathetic health care. But bandaids […]
“Losing It” Is Not Always Bad
Midway into an hour long conversation, the Holy Spirit gently revealed the truth of crippling frustration for this young girl in ministry. Watery eye contact was replaced with the top of her head as she hunched over and hid beneath dark strands of shame. After a few minutes of silence, a whisper seeped out from […]
Your Father Hates Fear
Oh, the power of fear. Twenty-five years ago, it was as pervasive in my life as the air I breathed. It formed the welcome mat of every friendship, it was the vehicle that drove me to succeed, and it was the counterfeit glue that held me in bondage to all of life’s “nouns”. Then Jesus […]
Praying for Chronic Possibilities
A television in the far corner of the waiting room adequately occupied most of the people. The remainder thumb-punched their cell phones quietly. The weatherman said wind chill temperatures were dangerously below zero and echoed obligatory warnings that come with such a forecast. I looked out the window and watched a woman make her way […]
A Deeper Healing by Joni E. Tada
What Does Love Look Like?
(This was one of the most popular posts on my original blog and since something similar happened just recently, I thought I’d repost.) A little lisp snuck up behind me at the kitchen sink and said “I have a thur-prithe (surprise) for you Mommy! Squash your eyes shut!” The out-of-breath commander just lost her first […]
If God Says “Rest,” Please Listen
As I stared at the flickering cursor on a blank web page for the third day in a row, I prayed in desperation, “Lord, I’ve come all the way across the country to seek Your face, hear Your heart, finally alone and undisturbed. You miraculously provided this house for me. You gave me the most […]
“Be Thankful It Hurts”
“Can you feel this?” The surgeon took a needle and pricked each of my finger tips. “Only my thumb. Ouch, by the way.” I scooted closer to the edge of the examination table and crinkled the paper lining. “Well Shannon,” Dr. Maxwell replied. “After seeing both the MRI and how quickly you’ve lost feeling in […]
Does Your Christmas List Need a Lift?
Where in the world is a good, hydraulic couch cushion when you need one? I’ve finished my devotions and I can’t get up. I can envision my Christmas list in a couple of years: Replacement batteries for all seeing, hearing, and walking devices. A memo pad that sticks to the refrigerator…bathroom mirror…kitchen counter…my kid…and all […]
Looking For God’s Samaritans
I looked at the clock on my dashboard and white-knuckle gripped the steering wheel. Is this stop light an hour long or what? My 21-year old impatience fiddled with the radio station then marvelled at the traffic. Though I had lived in the Chicago suburbs for four years now, I still got shocked how long […]