Many of us spend hours gathering clues, watching for evidence, and hearing interviews from our favorite true crime podcasts and documentaries. What draws people to listen to this content that continues to grow in popularity? Mysteries grab our attention, and we all have a desire to solve puzzles. It is thrilling to dive into a … Continue reading Up and Vanished – Psalm 12
Fight or Flight – Psalm 11
(a bird flying away) Anxiety I have always known the stranglehold of anxiety in my life. This unwelcome guest bullied our family at every event and gathering for as long as I can remember. Looking back, I realize how both my parents struggled with the burden of anxiety. My mother shared her list of worst-case … Continue reading Fight or Flight – Psalm 11
Can Forgiveness Set Me Free? Psalm 10
(Prison cell) During World War II, Louis Zamperini survived 47 days at sea in a raft after his plane crashed and then tragically became a prisoner of war for two long years. While being held captive, he experienced terrible abuse and almost daily beatings at the hands of some ruthless guards. As I have been … Continue reading Can Forgiveness Set Me Free? Psalm 10
Do you have time for a conversation? Psalm 9b
During my season of parenting teenagers, there was one thing I could always count on -- inconvenient conversations. Just as I was nodding off or felt beyond exhausted, one of my teens chose to begin a meaningful conversation. Suddenly, words poured forth freely, and the opportunity to truly connect arrived. These conversation opportunities opened up … Continue reading Do you have time for a conversation? Psalm 9b
Can I Cultivate Thanksgiving? Psalm 9a
When I was a little girl, the days spent between Christmas and New Year were filled with the arduous task of writing thank you notes. Looking back now, less than ten notes to write loomed large over those days. For my sister and me, the challenge felt overwhelming. I sat for hours at the dark … Continue reading Can I Cultivate Thanksgiving? Psalm 9a
What is God doing in the dark? Psalm 7
In the cool dark recesses of the cupboard under the stairs, I carefully placed my newly potted bulb. My father made it clear that I was not to pull it back out into the light for a few months. At seven years old patience was not my strong suit, and I desperately wanted to take … Continue reading What is God doing in the dark? Psalm 7
How do you tend a troubled soul? Psalm 6
When it rains, everything seems wet Dark clouds descend, obscuring my view The rattle of raindrops muffles the sounds of life And I am cocooned in sadness "A Weathered Heart" by Anthea Kotlan This poem reflects a few aspects of depression. If you have ever experienced a season of depression or if someone you love … Continue reading How do you tend a troubled soul? Psalm 6
How do you speak to yourself? Psalm 5
Do you use practice kindness or condemnation? I confess my default setting for the voice inside my head leans heavily towards harsh criticism. I struggle to practice self-compassion. In Psalm 5, the psalmist calls out to the Lord for help. 1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. 2 Give attention to … Continue reading How do you speak to yourself? Psalm 5
How can I find blessing in the midst of despair? Psalm 3
Have you ever walked through a season of despair? In the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, in the Fall of 2020, discouragement began to close in on me. There had been so many cancellations and endless disappointments piled high. My father, a nursing home resident, had been placed in Hospice care. For the first … Continue reading How can I find blessing in the midst of despair? Psalm 3
Have You Felt Depleted Lately? Psalm 79
Even after the warnings, God's people could hardly believe the great disaster that fell upon Jerusalem during the Babylonian Conquest in 597 BC. In the aftermath of war, Psalm 79 expresses the people's grief about what had been done and left undone in the form of a community lament. How Long, O Lord? 1 O … Continue reading Have You Felt Depleted Lately? Psalm 79
Anthea Kotlan 