Wednesday Bookclub

Wednesday Bookclub

Many of you are members of the Mundane Faithfulness Community on Facebook. If you aren’t, I am not sure I can explain what it is! It’s a group of like-minded gracemongers who are walking alongside each other looking for God’s grace in all areas of life, whether it’s the mundane parts or a difficult situation, like illness or relational strain or death of a loved one. We have one basic rule: Be Kind. And the kindness and gentleness that meets us there is stunning. I have made life-long friends in that group! There is a prayer event every day in which the prayers of the members are categorized and listed so that we can pray for each other. People share their hearts, their struggles, their joys, their praise pigs, their news, and in return, members comment with encouragement and prayers and scripture. It’s a sacred place.

Kara’s Collection: Be Not Dismayed

Kara’s Collection: Be Not Dismayed

from an article originally posted April 28, 2014...

There is great power in the truth. When we look in the face of today, we can despair ourselves, the tasks set before us, and we can wonder at the plan. I look at these verses and my heart wants to scream, Do you see what I am facing? Do you know? Do you understand the depths of my weariness? And the gentle answer always comes: Come to me, come to me, come to me Kara, I will strengthen, I will uphold, fear not, fear not, fear not my daughter. Some days I simply don’t want to come. Some days I don’t want to be comforted, some days I want to forget.

Beyond Politics

Beyond Politics

If you are reading this, I applaud you! I applaud your courage for being online and exposing yourself to the current circus of social media and news outlets screaming in our faces about our new president, his policies, his Twitter account, what his wife is wearing, and what kind of dog he likes. Good grief, it has been quite the week for Americans! I quickly started to dread even checking Facebook because of what may greet me when I log on.

Kara’s Collection: Josh Garrels, Farther Along

Kara’s Collection: Josh Garrels, Farther Along

from an article originally posted April 27, 2014...

One evening two lovely ladies came by and dropped off a cd of music they loved for encouragement. I have played and played the cd, especially this song.

As I was writing The Hardest Peace, I uncovered something I have quietly believed in my life of faith. It’s similar to this song I suppose: the idea of understanding and answers will come as we move farther along. In Presbyterian circles, we use a certain word a LOT! Sanctification. It’s a big Bible word. The word is essentially the process of God’s refining in love and grace. It’s beautiful business.

Beloved

Beloved

I am not the best at shutting off my brain and relaxing. Often as I fall asleep at night, my mind races with what has passed and what is to come. I'm used to it and I've gotten better over the last year. But the other week we were at a hotel, and I was awake at night. I was praying and thinking, trying to pass the time until I fell back asleep, and the word beloved came to mind.