...a word from Kathy

T here is a ‘cross wall’ in my house. And recently, I’ve realized that we’ve had such a space in our various homes for the last 15 years. It holds a special place in my heart as each cross represents birthday celebrations, Walk to Emmaus retreats, places we’ve lived or traveled to visit. There are hand-made crosses, crosses from abroad, crosses given by family members, by old friends and by new friends. This wall creates a conversation starter with guests in our home. Many people ask about it and wonder about the crosses and their meaning. I’ve been asked several interesting questions: “did you make them all” or “did you buy them all” or “do they have special meaning to you”? The answers seems obvious to me. “Heavens no, I didn’t make them”. And then a little offended, “No, I didn’t buy them” (Ok, maybe one or two!) And lastly, certainly they have special meaning…..they represent special places and people, I say proudly. But oh, why don’t I speak of their true meaning - the tru...

H e came into the restaurant without his usual smile and the twinkle in his eye. I knew immediately that he was down. We spoke of class, of family, of mutual friends before we finally got to the burden and he opened up. “I am nothing. I am a failure. I have disappointed many people. I am embarrassed. I do not feel good inside of myself”, he said as tears welled in his eyes. “My mom tells me every day that I am her only hope. And now, without a great score I will have to return to my country as a failure”. These are the words from an international Scholar attending the University of Alabama; he is one who excelled and traveled to the US for higher education. There are millions of others who did not achieve enough to come to the US to study. But this one has earned a Master’s degree, with another Master’s degree to be completed in December. He is also a PhD candidate. And yet, his words of inadequacy haunt me and teach me. This young man of twenty-five knows Jesus as His...

O ne Sunday, our pastor used an illustration that has stayed with me. He asked us to envision a line running across the sanctuary, a line whose beginning and ending we could not see. Then he picked up a small speck off the floor and placed it on this imaginary continuum; this is our life, he said. In the scheme of time, this is our life. We are the speck-a infinitesimal portion of the whole. Recently, I met with a Chinese friend. We have been friends for several years and he is a follower of Jesus so our visit was sweet with the love of Christ. Our life experiences are literally worlds apart; however, we connect through Jesus. He was sharing with me about his family who live in China. His mom, sister and brother-in-law are all Christ followers. Yet, his father does not believe. My friend said, “I think he will not change his mind. In the end times, he will be lost forever. He does not listen. He does not hear.” It was a serious moment and one of pain for my friend. ...