Weekly devotionals based on soul tending in the book of Psalms.
“Jake’s not feeling well today, so he won’t be with us.” Without missing a beat, my three-year-old daughter said, “We should pray for him.” She grabbed our hands and bowed her head and prayed. Even as a preschooler many years ago, her heart was full of faith and determination to take it all to the … Continue reading Do I Know God’s Majesty?
What detours are you facing in this season? Are you willing to persevere like the three kings?
Decades before GPS was available at my fingertips, my children and I roamed the earth in a Honda minivan, getting lost on many occasions. The only thing worse than getting lost with your own young children is getting lost with your friends’ children at the Houston Zoo. Had I been to the Zoo before? Sure, … Continue reading Are you feeling lost, disoriented, or out of time in this season of Advent?
(An Advent Wreath with the first candle lighted. ) This time of year, Christmas can feel like a destination found at the top of Mount Everest. So, loaded down with a backpack full of expectations, I make slow forward progress up the mountain. Interrupting my expedition, the Lord invites me into the season of Advent. … Continue reading An Advent Interruption
(Woman with her arms raised high.) A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of gathering with a group of believers from across my denomination. The opening service for that weekend’s gathering featured one of my favorite worship leaders, and I sat with some lovely young women who embraced the opportunity to sing with full … Continue reading Giving Thanks Does Me Good
God loves for me to be fully present with Him. As I pray through Psalm 27, I am reminded of all God is doing for me.
Going back to schoolGoing away to collegeMoving across the countryGetting marriedLosing a parentStarting a new jobHaving a baby Transitions create opportunities for new routines, new relationships, and new ways of doing things. All those new shiny ventures have a flip side, endless goodbyes and letting go. My husband and I are walking through a season … Continue reading Finding Hope in Times of Transition
(House graphic) Two weeks ago, I wrote about the popularity of television shows that feature backyard makeovers or home fix-ups. The first part of Psalm 19 points out how God wants to renovate our hearts and souls. As humans we a drawn to the idea of renewal because it positions hope within reach. On television, … Continue reading God Loves a Fixer-Upper
(a photo of pink roses) In the middle of the 1970s, my Welsh-born father brought our family from England to Texas. After purchasing a modest home in the Spring Branch area, he created an English Rose Garden. Popular gardening wisdom warned him that this might be impossible, but he took the challenge in stride. Clad … Continue reading Does your parched soul need some drip irrigation?
Don’t you just love a good home or backyard makeover show? Evidently, everyone does because it is entirely satisfying to spend less than an hour watching the entire transformation from broken to beautiful, gross to gorgeous, and so forth. A home renovation or backyard makeover typically takes months, but pop on your favorite streaming service, … Continue reading Sunrise Sightings of the Kingdom of God
Anthea Kotlan 