living in light of eternity
"Moses!" It is my daughter's favorite faux cuss word, a word when life surprises her (and maybe not in a good way.) When her brother knocks a glass of milk into her lap. Moses! When she bumps into a forgotten deadline. Moses! When we wake up to a snow hurricane--um, thank you, Denver, but we'll... Continue Reading →
Which came first, the prayer or the answer to it? Let's say there is a season of drawing near, hungry as Oliver Twist, drawn by the lavish feast and the door thrown open. Let's say the table is piled high with steaming loaves of bread and trays of smoky meat, fruit like bright jewels, overflowing... Continue Reading →
Let me explain about L'Abri. Not, I mean to say, about L'Abri the place, nor about Francis Schaeffer's obsession with knickers, nor Edith Schaeffer's tireless (I'm tired just thinking about it) hospitality—but about how the idea of L'Abri has fired up my imagination and intersected with my life in interesting ways. Growing up in an... Continue Reading →
Friends, I have been struggling a bit with writer’s block this past month. Not because I have nothing to say, or no thoughts to process, but because I am trying to process so very much. Our family has just embarked on a huge transition vocationally, leaping by faith into a new adventure. We are excited,... Continue Reading →
One of my dear friends asked me recently for a Christmas reading that her church could use. Instead of a grand Christmas tea or event, their members are receiving a goodie bag to help them host mini-Christmas parties in their own homes. I think it is a beautiful idea, because it deconstructs the creeping notion... Continue Reading →
Once again we find ourselves raising support, a process designed to terrify the most hardy souls. But it's good, it really is, it's so good! What follows is nothing new if you've read my book, but it's a great reminder for me. (I find I need to preach the truth to myself time to time,... Continue Reading →
They had been in decline for years—maybe decades. Finally, there were only about 30 people, grimly hanging on. One dear lady recalled weeping in an empty nursery. There was no strength left. There was little life at all. "How long until the money runs out?" they wondered. They calculated it was a matter of months. It... Continue Reading →
My home state is bracing for it today. Home Depot’s out of generators, and Harris Teeter’s shelves of bread are looking bare. All of the inland hotels are booked up, and flights west are full. There is a hurricane on the way, and not a little one. The summer I was 12, Hurricane Charley visited... Continue Reading →
I've got one last story for you today! This one is from a sweet friend whose staying and going has had huge personal impact on our family, on our church. Although they are momentarily unable to go back overseas as they'd like, in their staying they are hard at work raising up other go-ers. How... Continue Reading →
I am delighted to have Jen Oshman share her story here today! Talk about a lot of ups and downs in the following! Maybe hearing Jen's story is just what we need to prepare our hearts for the unexpected. What a great question she asks: "Who are we and who is God?" I find that... Continue Reading →
Catherine's Letters 