You asked so many wonderful questions! Will you please come sit around my table for a piece of pie and a long talk? It's hard to describe the longing I felt as I read the questions as they came in. I kept thinking, who WOULDN'T want to discuss such great questions? Too many of us …
Author: Rosina
My First Blog Birthday and Giveaway
A year ago I finally yielded to the burning in my bones and started this blog. I said I'd try blogging for a year, then decide whether or not to keep on. Here is a picture of me writing on a typical Sunday afternoon. Once the children are in bed for naps, I hibernate in my bedroom and …
of death and pain
Yesterday marked the third year since my lovely 18-year-old cousin Anja died. I saw this picture of her on Facebook, and my already-low spirits plummeted. How can death be God's will? When faced with death and pain, so many people piously fold their hands and gaze heavenward and say, "Thy will be done!" as if it really is God's …
A Question Without an Answer
When are you going to write about sexual abuse? they ask me. I don't know, I say. I know so little about abuse. I've lived such a sheltered, coddled life. Yes, I've had my share of pain, but life has been kind to me in that area. What would I say that would not be trivial, meaningless, …
A Model for Missions
In Nik Ripken's book The Insanity of Obdedience, he describes three important elements of a mission effort: the needs of the lost (people without Jesus), worker concerns, and the sending body/agency. One of these elements will be the top focus of the mission, and the other two elements will supplement the main goal. In a worker-concerns oriented mission, the …
Meditation at Midnight
I cannot sleep, Dear God, I cannot sleep! I cannot sleep Because so many hands keep Beckoning me. And faces stare, And voices, piteous voices call Upon the midnight air. And God, O can it be That once upon a time, like me Thou couldst not sleep? Because of many hands Outstretched from all the …
Blog Introduction and Giveaway
I'd like to introduce you to my friend Vicki Kauffman's blog, Written Down Big. Vicki's writing is exquisite, intelligent, and flecked with humor. Among my favorite of her writings is her series on womanhood. Just a quote to whet your appetite: "Did you know that in addition to beauty appreciating, service rendering, and baby-producing faculties, …
Two Verses For Election Year
For a peace-loving person like me, the fracas of emotionally laden opinions during election year is overwhelming and a bit frightening. I don't know what to do with the sentiments I hear aired so openly and disagreeably. I don't know how to handle the disturbance in my own heart as I look at the moral and …
On a Sunday Afternoon
My Sunday afternoon siesta was rudely interrupted by a persistent, buzzing fly. Keane was sleeping peacefully, his warm, soft skin pressed against me when the fly landed one too many times. Keane's jerk woke me up, and I laid there for a bit, wishing I could zap that evil fly with a stare. Summer is here with its …
A Morning Exercise
1. Quiet your heart and bring your thoughts toward God. In the stillness, tell Him that you are listening. Sit in silence for a few minutes. 2. Ask God to bring a Biblical character to your mind. Write down the name of the first person who comes to your mind. 3. Ask God, "What part of this person's …
arabah rejoice 