The Symphony

Posted by Allison Stevens on October 26, 2011

I went to the symphony last night to hear Mendelssohn’s violin concerto in E minor.  Stunning music. And the violin soloist’s (Augustin Hadelich) playing was flawless. As usual, beautiful music takes my mind in a million different places.

Apparently, Mendelssohn doubted his ability... Read More

Restoration revisited

Posted by Tim Jackson on October 24, 2011

So, how’s God restoring the brokenness in your life or the life of someone you love? Maybe it’s breaking free from an enslaving addiction or severing an abusive relationship that’s been sucking the life out of you for way too long. Whatever your story of brokenness, God has a... Read More

Restoration plans

Posted by Tim Jackson on October 18, 2011

I recently spent some time with a pastor friend who is heavily invested in restoring broken lives in a rural community in Southeastern Kansas. After all, isn’t that what pastors do? That’s what Karl does. He, and many other pastors like him, pour themselves into a community in an Isaiah-like... Read More

Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for.” -Bob Marley

Posted by Allison Stevens on October 12, 2011

This quote from Bob Marley (1945-1981) caught my attention because it’s poignant, true, honest, pure.

It leaves me questioning, who is worth suffering for?

My children of course; that one is easy.

But must I suffer for someone who has evil intentions towards... Read More

Places To Belong

Posted by Jeff Olson on October 6, 2011



In his book, Befriending the Stranger, Jean Vanier (founder of L’Arche) shared this gripping exchange he once had with a man who was in prison:

“I remember my visit to a top security prison in Kingston, Ontario. I told the prisoners about the men and... Read More

The Bride

Posted by Allison Stevens on October 5, 2011

Imagine a bride standing in the doorway ready to walk down the aisle to marry her groom. She’s glowing with beauty. Her dress is perfectly white and she’s immaculate.

Then splatters of mud, no more like red Georgia clay, come flying towards her and stains her gown. And as she’s... Read More

Relational investment & dividends

Posted by Tim Jackson on October 4, 2011

I just came off of a great weekend with my son in woods of Northern Michigan. We slept out in a tent, cooked our food over the campfire or Coleman stove, drank the best coffee out of blue tin cups, and sat together in a duck blind for 2 days opening up the new duck season.

As I sat... Read More