Freedom is like cancer. It clarifies cloudy priorities and reveals the tremendous treasures buried beneath the depths of want and desire. In our attempt to cover too much in life - to know too much, do too much, to have too much - We often live like oscillating fans – unable to stay fixed on a singular target. Freedom and cancer expose both the fragility and fullness of every human life. I sat in a custody hearing recently. The silence in the room crawled under my skin and infected me. I wondered if the severe quiet would permanently suppress my... Continue reading

Relationships are like red buds. Just as you become almost bored to death of the barren branches, flowers break open from them almost overnight. My husband I met at twelve, began a relationship at 14 and married by 20. The night before our wedding, I lay in my twin sized, floral comforter covered bed and briefly mourned the end of the before- marriage-part of our relationship. I had no doubts, no worries, and I welcomed the unknown but certain changes we’d face in the covenant committed part of our relationship; but what we’d had up to that point had been... Continue reading

I drive my kids around for millions of hours per week. While in transit a couple of days ago I stopped next to a young girl in a small white two-door car. She looked fourteen. Not only did her youth disturb me but she was on the phone, filing her nails, and had one foot in her seat, leaving only one out of four limbs apparently in control of her driving skills. I looked at my youngest sons face in my rear view mirror. I work constantly at protecting my children – at maintaining their physical, emotional and mental well-being.... Continue reading

Yesterday, we Reese’s participated in our long-standing family tradition. We gather dozens of eggs, boil them and decorate them in every imaginable color by dunking them, swirling them, and tie - dying them. All little egg artists present pass wax crayons for laying color, straws for blowing colors, baggies for rubbing color and glue for glittering color. They flourish the eggs with stickers, plastic wraps, and colored pipe cleaners. At times, the atmosphere becomes intense – each one wanting to create the best egg masterpiece of the year. I care much less about the eggs than I do my children... Continue reading

This week I spent hours at a dealer waiting for my car to be repaired. While waiting in a room filled entirely with people I was certain suffered from the swine flu, I reflected on days when my thoughts were virgin to worries – especially ones that involved broken cars, air born viruses and warranty’s. My entire existence used to be utterly controlled by someone other than me. Although not always pleasant…my job was simply to play and sleep. It all ended when my parents made me learn to ride a bike. Santa brought me an unasked for pink Huffy... Continue reading

Check out these two podcasts..... Mars Hill - Intentions - Rob Bell - Audio 12/5/09 Mars Hill - Luke: Jesus And Demons - Mark Driscoll 2/14/10 Continue reading

I first encountered my husband one summer at a swim party. We were 12. He got in a fight with another boy and so impressed me that he became the headline of every note I would pass for the remainder of 6th grade. My next major encounter with him was two years later. We were 14. It was fall. We were at the high school football game sitting on a grassy hill, next to the bleachers watching – or at least pretending to watch – the game. I tried to not look at him too often. Suddenly – he started... Continue reading

My life dreams are like big fat boys in middle school who bully and bluff with the one thing they have on everyone else – their size. Like a skinny thirteen-year old girl, I pretend they don’t exist anymore than the pimple on the end of my nose does. But they do. Large, irritated and potentially bursting at any moment. Perspective offers my only hope. For example, high school reunions reveal these same bullies became bald mechanics assistants who survive entirely on beer and beef. And the skinny girl with the zit immerges curvy and clear faced with only just... Continue reading

Moments wash over me like waves. These moments - much like those waves – suffocate me with torrents of insatiable love and instinctive protection. These moments rush in and before I know what hit me, they almost sweep my feet away. They go as quickly as they come... waves rolling in as moments and rolling out as memories. I want to explore this ocean – one wave at a time. They mesmerize me - the sound of them, the smell of them, the feel of them, …. I will stand here until I have experienced each and every wave… until... Continue reading

Saying prayers for Matt Chandler and his family.... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35086396/ns/health-cancer//from/ET Continue reading

Really interesting...I love Nightline! http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaceOff/ Continue reading

I’m tired of Power gained from lies, Love made of pain, Wealth built on injustice. My heart is stained from this messy life. I breathe deep Closing my eyes And with all of me I choose Your Power that loves truth, Love that protects, Wealth that stops injustice. My heart is wrecked From your way, your life... I breathe deep. Finally, I’m realizing That through me, Your humble love brings Relief to faces, Strength to fragility. My heart shows traces of outrageous hope... I breathe deep. Continue reading

I am not sure if it is because I have switched to decaf coffee or not, but each morning the news makes less sense to me. How did we get to this point – our nation in trillions of dollars of debt – with the experts using the word “insolvent” to refer to American’s financial future? America bankrupt? Somewhere between the left and right opinions sparring about how we got here and who’s to blame…the reality of our circumstances uncover a long history of decisions made on the behalf of individual rights, which now collectively seem to have derailed our... Continue reading

Check out Tebow and the new attention he's getting! http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,583999,00.html?test=faces Continue reading

Hey everyone! As promised, here is the full length version of the video we watched on Sunday. Enjoy! http://www.podcast.tv/video-episodes/buried-treasure-video-7482175.html Or you can download the video podcast with this link: http://mosaiccommunity.org/video/Reclaiming-My-Stolen-Joy.m4v (requires iTunes or Quicktime) Continue reading

Courageous love’s test really comes when those who are supposed to love and protect you abandon, reject or harm you. This pain is the most unbearable kind and can make us insecure and uncertain of ourselves – creating an unsurpassable obstacle for moving forward into our futures. In 2 Samuel 6 David ushers the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. This exemplifies his success as king and a leader anointed by God. After celebrating the monumental event, he enters his palace to find his wife and bless her. First we see that she chose to not attend this very important... Continue reading

Check out these podcasts on glory: http://podcast.frontlinechurch.tv/05312009a.mp3 http://podcast.frontlinechurch.tv/05172009b.mp3 Davishttp://www.marshill.org/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=57_38&products_id=496 Continue reading

King David had a lot in common with Moses. Both were responsible for leading the Israelites, both had an intimate relationship with God, and both desperately wanted to encounter God's glory. After Uzzah's death, David left the ark at Obed-Edom's home. He'd heard all the drama and excitement surrounding the incident and still, Obed-Edom willingly housed the Ark. The historian Josephus confirms that he and his entire household experienced immense blessings while the ark resided with them. "Obed" means worship. Obed-Edoms response to the Ark was one of simple worship. He obeyed and did not let unfounded fear and insecurity... Continue reading

Having anxiety over the approaching birthday. At least I get to get old with him.... Continue reading

Seriously - How much help can one girl need? Evidently - I am setting records! Continue reading

God loves to demonstrate His desire to be a powerful God of our present and future, not just our past. While worshipping together Sunday, Claudia Sawyer shared about experiencing complete freedom from back pain just a few weeks ago during prayer time at Mosaic. Yesterday, many expressed a deep need that man cannot satisfy – whether physical, emotional, relational or financial people need what only God can provide. Please continue to look to God for your need – and I pray your faith increases to believe Him for the seemingly impossible! We continued our investigation of God’s glory, examining its... Continue reading

People all around us are desperately looking for truth and for something real, authentic and genuine. The reality of God’s glory should radiate from all of our lives for the world around us to easily see. Continue reading