dark and quiet
Gordon Hempton is one of the world’s few acoustic ecologists. He travels the world recording what he calls “the last quiet places,” places completely untouched by modern human sound. Hempton records remote locations on the other side of the world as well as nearby wonders, such as the sound of the tide washing over a piece of spruce driftwood in a national park. He describes silence not as the lack of noise (there is no such thing, the earth itself emits sound), but rather as presence (the capacity to be fully attentive to the space where you are).
God’s will and our hopes
Barely a few inches long, the image on the sonogram looked like something from a science fiction movie. With distinctive little nubs for hands and a clearly defined head, I could see the promise of the one who was to be our firstborn. Still unknown were the gender, personality traits, and distinctive qualities to fill out the picture of the now-beating heart. Capturing the image of this little life in the womb, the sonogram pictures were treasures for my husband and me. They reminded us that what we couldn’t see with our naked eye was indeed real, though hidden.
simply love
The hope of change is in the air as we enter the New Year. It’s the anticipation of a new outlook or a new direction or the chance to do things differently.
the spirit, the kingdom
One of the many juggling acts parents perform is deciding when to give information to their children. If I know a trip or a family fun time is on the horizon, I want to tell our boys early enough so they can enjoy the anticipation. If I tell them too soon, however, their agony of waiting (and my agony caused…
silence of God
She sits alone in her room—dark circles under her eyes, tears running down her cheeks. Since her teenage years, God has been her fulfillment, but her heart still has gaps—empty places, hollow spaces, unmet longings. And she has prayed, oh how she has prayed for God to give her the desires of her heart. Or to take them away. One…
training daze
After graduation from college, I worked for an organization that did not pay well. It was tough. Sometimes I couldn’t even afford my next meal. During that time, my mother became sick. I felt awful not being able to help pay for her hospital expenses. It was one trial after another, and each new trial was harder than the previous…
something good
Last April in Johannesburg, South Africa, large crowds lined up to purchase tickets to the World Cup—the first Cup ever to be held in the African continent. One man (the 565th person in line) passed away as he waited to purchase tickets. A FIFA official told reporters that there was a “massive demand for tickets.” Energy and excitement had struck…
bound
When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place where the tide will turn. —Harriet Beecher Stowe
When I was a kid, physical education was not my favorite subject. When my teacher would perch me on…
waiting . . .
Ever feel like your life is on hold? I have. It seems like you’re stuck in the present as you continually muse about the future: Once I get that job everything will be better . . . Once I get married I’ll truly be happy . . . Once I get through this financial crisis I’ll really give to God…
unfulfilled dreams
Paul needed help. He said that his “ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else” (Romans 15:20). This pioneering spirit lifted Paul’s eyes to the western edge of the Roman Empire. He had to go to Spain.
Since…
"Not again!"
As I read the text message on my mobile phone, my temperature started to rise. My blood began to boil. I’m at my rupturing point.
“Not again! Why does he always do that?”
I was on the verge of shooting back a nasty message when an inner voice told me to cool it and reply tomorrow.
Guess what? The next…
