You Are His

You Are His

This post is dedicated to Sharon Juel and the Juel Family…

“I think it’s damaging,” my husband commented.

“What do you mean?” I looked up from my work.

“The Cinderella myth, the happily-ever-after promise.”

“Yes, probably.” I gazed across the room, pondering the thought. “Only Jesus can fulfill that desire.”

People say Disney Classics are dark—maybe  too dark for little kids…the wicked step-mother in Cinderella, the jealous queen in Snow White, the evil fairy Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty, the sea witch in The Little Mermaid. Perhaps the daunting takeaway isn’t the reality of opposition, but the false promise of happily ever after.

Beauty and The Beast probably offers the most realistic version of love. Most of us are held captive, carrying wounds that make us beastly. All of us need someone to love us despite our limitations. And it takes courage to love the otherness of the other. Perseverance in love can bring transformation.

But we need God in order to bring our best selves to the challenge of relationship. And not just through prayer, or biblical principles.

We need to feel His love.

Years ago, genius songwriter Bob Dylan wrote a song called “Make You Feel My Love.” The first time I heard it, I immediately felt Jesus singing the words to me—deep into my spirit. Hope you enjoy this song and accompanying slide show…Continue reading

Empty Pockets, Open Hands

Empty Pockets, Open Hands

Would you pray this humbling prayer?

“Mystify, arouse, and confuse me

Shatter all my plans and illusions,

That I might lose my way.

Don’t let me see the path or the light,

Until I am ready to be led

To the harbor of the poor and willing heart.”

 

humility comes from the low points of lifeThese are the opening words to Kevin Prosch’s song, “Every Ray.” How well he understands the low the lintel of the human heart.Continue reading

The Tyranny of Isn’t

The Tyranny of Isn’t

In 2014, the Stubblefield family was shaken to the core when their youngest, Katie, literally lost her face from a shotgun blast. To everyone’s astonishment, she survived the injury, but her wound was catastrophic. She was only 18.

Her father, Robb Stubblefield, recently wrote, “It seems like a lifetime ago…sitting in a trauma intensive care unit late at night…crying out in a muffled whispering of faith and heartache for God’s triumph to show itself…But here we are…having come so far.”

faith triumphs over what isn'tThis family’s faith is nothing short of remarkable. Countless people are praying and supporting the Stubblefields and in turn have been touched by the grace of God themselves.

To date, very few face transplants have been attempted and succeeded. But last May at the Cleveland Clinic, Katie Stubblefield became the youngest recipient to receive a new face. Of course follow-up surgeries continue, and the risk of tissue rejection may require taking immunosuppressing drugs for the rest of her life. But hope abounds in this family.

Robb Stubblefield recently wrote on their Facebook page,

It's important to grieve what isn't“A great man has said, ‘Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God and embrace the life you have.’”Continue reading