Solacetree

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said, “Follow Me.”  “Follow” means to pursue the one in front of you.  But later in John 15:26, Jesus said he would send us the Helper, the Spirit of Truth once he ascended to the Father.  The name “Helper” is translated from the Greek word “Paracletos” which means “one called alongside to help”.  Here’s a poem about my sidecar travels with God.

Road Trip

You always take me out of my comfort zone.
Do I take you out ...

I work as a volunteer at Mark Luttrell Correctional Center, a state penitentiary for women in Memphis, TN.  One of my favorite opportunities to serve is with Grace Place Ministries, a United Methodist congregation planted in the prison. Grace Place Ministries empowers incarcerated women to become disciples of Jesus Christ and experience what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ not only through worship, but service to people in the free world.

Here are women with almost ...

Does it really matter what we do in the world?  I mean, what difference can one person make?  What if the only reason we are on the planet is to help one other person?  Think about someone who made a significant difference in your life….

Here is an excerpt from my newest article in Provoketive Magazine:

Each of us has a unique place in God’s universe.  We are made in His/Her image to fulfill a special part for the redemption of us ...

I frequently write for Provoketive Magazine, an on-line publication designed to engage authors and readers in conversation.  Here is an excerpt from my most recent post.  I encourage you to read it, then leave a comment.

Because there is at least one sin that trips us up on a regular basis, we tend to think God is disappointed in us.  I know at times when I’ve been giving into a particular sin on a regular basis, I’ve thought of starting the ...

Nebuchadnezzar had just captured and destroyed Jerusalem, taking all but the poorest people away into exile to Babylon.  Jeremiah had been faithfully warning his fellow Israelites for years that they would suffer devastating consequences if they didn’t repent and return to the Lord, but they wouldn’t listen.  They deserved their punishment; he didn’t.  “Saint Jeremiah” had done nothing to deserve this emotional agony and destitution. 

Really? God said.  Try looking at your own sins, shortcomings, character defects.  Jeremiah didn’t have a ...

After a year of prolific writing and the exhilarating experience of being vaulted into Amazon and Barnes & Nobles.com with my first book, the well went dry.  All the excitement faded, and so did my ability to write.   I felt like someone who experiences the tremendous outpouring of love and attention when the passing of their beloved leaves them bereft, then gradually everyone goes home, leaving only the presence of pain.  Welcome to the wilderness, where solace doesn’t live and ...