The Benefits of Praise

“Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 113:1 NLT)

My neighborhood has some beautiful trees. The dogwoods and redbuds bloom every spring. The apple trees are laden with fruit in the fall. The white trunks of the birch trees shine in the sunlight. The oaks and maples wave in the wind. The stately blue spruces provide shelter to rabbits and birds. As I run by these trees, I look at each of them admiringly. I can’t help but acknowledge and appreciate their magnificence. This fills me with joy! 

There was a time when I didn’t think much about trees. I knew they were there, but I had other things on my mind. It took me decades to recognize the glory of nature. Even now, I do not speak my thoughts out loud to the trees. They neither need nor benefit from my praise. They are not moved by my compliments. Yet, acknowledging their beauty contributes to my well-being. 

When we praise God, we honor His magnificence. Our souls are energized when we magnify Him. There may be times when our minds are preoccupied with earthly concerns, and we don’t notice the Glory in our midst. When we fail to recognize the Divine presence, our spirits become depleted. The Lord neither needs nor benefits from our acknowledgment. He is not influenced by our applause. We praise the Lord because it contributes to our well-being. Appreciating Him brings us joy. Exalting Him elevates our spirits.

Simple Prayer

“‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.” (Psalm 107:6 NLT) 

My Catholic upbringing taught me to memorize and recite traditional prayers that were often long and intricate. I find comfort in the rhythmic repetition of vocal prayers in communal settings. Even in private, there is a flow in using familiar words. It feels like remembering the lyrics to an old hymn. 

There are times when I am too stressed out to focus on longer prayers. When I am at my wit’s end, I have learned to whisper the simplest of prayers: 

“Lord, help!”

Immediately, my attention shifts from the trial to God. I become aware that my helplessness is an opportunity for God’s power to take over. This allows me to surrender my fear, anxiety, desperation, confusion, exhaustion, inability, or whatever other emotion I am feeling into God’s capable hands. The Lord hears simple requests. He knows my condition better than I can express. When I am in trouble, I call out for the Lord’s help. He  rescues me from distress. 

Bird Lessons

“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:25 NIV)

There was a time when I was ignorant about different kinds of birds. I remember once seeing a robin and thinking to myself: There must be something wrong with this bird. Why is it just hopping on the ground? Is it injured? Can it not fly? 

Now I know that robins are strong fliers. They spend most of their time on the ground, because their diet consists primarily of  earthworms and bugs. Sometimes they look like they are just sitting and staring at nothing in particular. This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with them. This is how God created them to be. 

Just as God created different kinds of animals and plants, He made each of us uniquely. Our genetics, culture, and circumstances may mold us into individuals that think and behave in uncommon ways. This does not mean there is anything wrong with us or that we are incompetent. It would be ignorant to make assumptions about any human being without getting to know them intimately. 

Dandelion Lessons

“She conducts her conversations with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is ever her concern.” (Proverbs 31:26 VOICE)

The yellow dandelion flowers in my yard have turned into white fluff balls. These filaments will be disbursed by the slightest breeze, spreading their seeds far and wide. While this may be the least attractive stage of this weed, it is still a purposeful phase in the life cycle of this plant.  

As I look at the dandelion fluff balls, I am reminded that I, too, am past the flowering stage of my life. Yet, this can still be a purposeful phase depending on how I choose to live. I can cultivate peace and contentment. I can be a good role model--conducting my conversations with wisdom, scattering encouragement, and focusing on gratitude. I can contribute what I have instead of obsessing with accumulating more. I can learn to accept what I cannot change while standing up boldly in situations where I have influence. I can spread kindness and compassion far and wide until I have nothing left to give. 

Vested Relationships

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25 ESV)

Many corporations offer to match employee contributions to retirement funds. However, some companies require employees to be ‘fully vested’ before they can claim their benefits. If you terminate employment before a certain number of years, you become ineligible for this portion of your retirement savings. Corporations use this system to retain employees and conserve costs. 

A similar but less defined phenomenon happens between individuals. When investing energy into new people, most of us tend to hold back at first. We wait and observe: Is this a temporary acquaintance who is self-serving? Are they merely seeking to enjoy themselves, stroke their egos, network with your contacts, or gain influence? Do they play power games? Does this relationship seem transactional in nature? Or is this a person who will be part of your journey for life? Before we become fully vested in another person, we look for patterns of caring behavior, honesty, consistency, and dependability. It takes a certain amount of time and positive experiences before we develop trust. We may sow seeds of blessings generously without expectations of reciprocity, but most of us are careful about whom we allow into our inner circles. We invest unconditionally in a select few. We water these relationships consistently, knowing that they are integral to our growth and well-being. 

 

Intercessory Prayer

“You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don’t want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God’s deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.” (2 Corinthians 1:11 MSG) 

A friend who has been battling cancer added me to his WhatsApp prayer group. It is a large group with over seventy members. I am a silent participant. I have never posted anything in the two years since the message board was created; yet I read every update and pray privately. I am inspired by my friend’s courage. The fervent prayers of his family and friends seem to feed his faith. I am grateful to be a witness and shareholder in this process. 

From an early age, I believed in the benefits of intercessory prayer. As a child, I had a list of people for whom I prayed. I would repeat the same names daily--as if it were my responsibility to remind God of those who needed help. Some of those for whom I prayed were healed; others were not. Even though my prayers were not 100% effective, I continued the practice. It energized my spirit. I knew I was powerless to effect change on my own, but I felt empowered when I advocated for others.

The power of intercessory prayer goes beyond those who are being supported. It strengthens the faith of those who are doing the lifting as well. We are allowed to be witnesses, mediators, and investors in the lives of those for whom we pray. As we hold a person up in prayer and assist God as He works, we become a crucial part of the divine rescue operation. Even though we are powerless to effect change on our own, we are empowered as we align ourselves with God. 

 

Perspective Peaks

“God descended to the peak of Mount Sinai. God called Moses up to the peak and Moses climbed up.” (Exodus 19:20 MSG)

When running long distances, every hill feels like a huge obstacle. As you are climbing, your view is limited.  You become fixated on the steepness of the hill, the effort of each step, and the slowness of your progress. Once you get to the peak, your perspective changes. Now you can see far and wide. What seemed like a barrier has now become a pedestal. 

Sometimes God calls us to climb up mountains of difficulties. The path is steep. Visibility is low. Progress is slow.  As we trudge up this trail full of trials, it is natural to feel exhausted and discouraged.  However, once we get to the peak, we discover that God has condescended to meet us there. Our perspective changes. Suddenly we have clarity. We see things from angles that we never imagined. We realize the purpose of the climb. The mountain was not an obstacle, but a higher vantage point. 

 

Lifetime Guarantee

“Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation!” (Psalm 100:5 TPT)

What does it mean when a product is sold with a lifetime guarantee? Is it the lifetime of the product, the original buyer, or the manufacturer? Will the guarantee be voided if the product is used unconventionally? Are there recurring maintenance costs associated with the warranty? 

About twenty years ago, I bought an expensive knife with a lifetime guarantee. The salesperson told me that the guarantee was valid even after my death--should I choose to pass it on to future generations. I didn’t ask too many questions at the time of purchase. I figured that the product must be reliable since it came with a lifetime guarantee.  A few months after I bought the knife, I noticed it was no longer sharp. To get it sharpened, I would have to pay a shipping fee which came to 10% of what I originally paid for the knife. I counted up the cost of a lifetime of sharpening and realized I had been duped. I was definitely not going to pass on this recurring expense to future generations! 

What are we to make of God’s promise to be faithful through all generations? Are there conditions attached? Is there a recurring cost? Does it require faithfulness on the part of the future generations? 

Here is what I know from my own experience and from what has been shared with me by my ancestors. God’s love is unconditional. Grace does not have to be earned by good behavior on our part. God’s goodness is everlasting, even though humanity continues to be frail. God is trustworthy. His faithfulness endures from generation to generation. We can count on this lifetime guarantee to extend into eternity. 

Is There an Alternative?

“Whenever you pray, be sincere and not like the pretenders who love the attention they receive while praying before others in the meetings and on street corners. Believe me, they’ve already received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to him in secret.” (Matthew 6:5-6 TPT)

In the last post, I wrote about why so many people are leaving organized religion. Statistics and articles about this subject are more than a curiosity for me. While I am still affiliated with a certain traditional church, I have been trudging through the outskirts of this system for some time now. I have been taking my time, finding alternate ways to worship and serve Christ. There is a new sense of urgency now. In my private communications with sincere Christians, a few have expressed that they no longer want to be affiliated with any church organizations. 

I feel like an immigrant in a foreign country who is trying to help even more recent immigrants. I am still figuring out the wilderness. My faith journey is littered by habit, guilt, and obligations. On days that I feel extremely disoriented, I go back to the familiar, old ways. There is comfort in belonging to a community. Like others, I  crave spiritual companionship, encouragement, accountability, and support.  Yet, I also sense that I need to leave these cozy confines and strike out with Christ. 

Unaffiliated

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like a grave that has been whitewashed. You look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside you are full of moldering bones and decaying rot.” ( Matthew 23:27 VOICE)

According to a recent Gallup poll, the majority of Americans are no longer affiliated with any kind of religious institution. In 2020, 47% of U.S. adults belonged to a church, synagogue, or mosque. There has been a steep decline in church attendance in the last twenty years. This trend started before the pandemic. The drop will most likely be even more precipitous in the future. 

What factors contribute to the rise in Americans with no religious preferences? The politicization of religion has been named as one of the main reasons people no longer want to be associated with organized religion. Young people in earlier generations withdrew from church for a period of their lives, because they perceived religion as restrictive. However, most of them returned to their church traditions once they were older. This is no longer the case. 

“We now see young evangelicals walking away from evangelicalism not because they do not believe what the church teaches, but because they believe the church itself does not believe what the church teaches. The presenting issue in this secularization is not scientism and hedonism but disillusionment and cynicism.” (Russell Moore)

Unlike earlier times, many who identify as religiously unaffiliated are not lapsed Christians. Instead, they are those who desire to follow Christ and His teachings, but view church as antithetical to this process. Most of  them were deeply involved in their churches and saw the inner workings of these institutions. They were disgusted by the politicization, profiteering, power grabbing, status seeking, hierarchical structure. They are leaving because they want no part in the hypocrisy associated with organized religion. 

Continued in the next post… 

Mind Care

“Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of your presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight.” (Psalm 94:19 TPT)

Untangling my long hair is time-consuming. When I wake up in the morning, my hair looks like a bird’s nest. The friction of tossing and turning while sleeping results in unruly knots. Fortunately, I have learned some tricks to remove the tangles. I take small sections of hair and run my fingers slowly through them. When I encounter a knot, I patiently separate out each strand of hair. Once I clear one section, I go to the next. The process cannot be rushed. When I have removed all the tangles, I use a homemade, leave-in conditioner made up of shea butter, coconut oil, and lavender. I anoint my head with this aromatic blend. Then, I use a comb to gently distribute the conditioner all through my hair. Finally, I braid my hair and fasten it with a velvet band. This daily, self-care routine feels empowering and nurturing. 

I have a similar self-care routine with my mind, too. Every day, I deal with a plethora of information and emotions. Busy thoughts lead to tangled truths. The friction between worries, distractions, and complexities creates a mess in my head. I have to take time daily to organize the chaos. I take small sections and patiently parse each concept. Once I have clarification, I move to the next knotty issue. The process is time-consuming. Eventually, I feel a sense of serenity--an anointing of wisdom and discernment. Finally, I send my written thoughts to my band of spiritual companions who interweave their insights with mine. We grow in strength and awareness as we empower and nurture each other. 

Self-Nourishment

“Then the angel of the LORD came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” (1 Kings 19: 7 NLT)

At a point in his life, the prophet Elijah was too worn-out to nourish himself. The angel of the Lord touched him and said: Get up and eat. Elijah obeyed the gentle nudge. He got up and fed himself. He was strengthened for the journey ahead. 

A young friend of mine is trying to eat healthfully. She regularly plans and cooks dishes that her children and husband enjoy. These foods do not fit her current diet goals, so she ends up eating prepackaged frozen meals.  She does not have the energy, time, or inclination to cook for herself. 

Have you ever heard someone else say out loud something you recognize in yourself...and it makes you cringe?

I am eager to cook meals that others enjoy, but I rarely take the trouble to make something nourishing for myself. Why? I have been programmed to believe that good wives and mothers take care of others. Even ‘self-care’ is relegated to appearing physically attractive and acceptable. I have followed this pattern of thinking for so long that I didn’t even question it until now. As a mature Christian woman, I am not setting a good example for younger women. 

I feel convicted to make a change, to obey this gentle nudge. I have to reevaluate certain ingrained ways of thinking. Learning to nourish myself is integral to the journey ahead. It is also a good example to those coming along after me.

Cushy Shoes

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4 VOICE)

Cushy shoes can feel comfortable and springy; thus, ‘many runners prefer them to shoes with less padding. However, running in highly cushioned shoes can increase the impact load and alter the natural spring mechanics in a runner’s form. Even though it seems counterintuitive, running related injuries are more prevalent when wearing cushioned shoes. Ideally, you want a shoe that provides some protection while still allowing your feet to move lithely. 

A certain amount of discomfort is a prerequisite to gaining strength. Resilience is developed under pressure. The lessons of hardship can be useful if you are willing to learn and adapt. Faith blossoms in affliction, equipping you for the long journey. Even though this seems counterintuitive, embracing suffering rather than avoiding it can lead to patience, endurance, empathy, and maturity. 

Running in highly cushioned shoes increases leg stiffness and amplifies impact loading

Supernatural Growth

“God is the one who brings supernatural growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:7 TPT)

Every time I sign up to run a marathon, I commit to training intensely for months prior to the date of the race. During this phase, I increase my mileage, work on speed drills, run up hills, stretch, and do cross training. This training period is even more valuable to me than the actual race day. Why? Well...it goes back to my motives for running the marathon distance. The first time I ran the distance, it was to prove to myself that I could accomplish this feat. Now, after seven marathons, this is no longer the case. These days, I train as a form of self-discipline. I push my body and mind to do uncomfortable things in the hope that it will make me stronger. I long to be resilient, but I have yet to attain this prize. I have discovered that the transformation I seek cannot be accomplished by effort alone. Training prepares the way, but sustainable growth is beyond my power.

Discipline opens us up for transformation. It’s like preparing soil for gardening. The hard soil must be tilled. The clods of clay have to be broken up before it is receptive to planting. Once the seeds are planted, consistent watering and weeding are necessary. Even if we do all this work, there is no guarantee of fruitfulness.  Similarly, discipline breaks up the clumps of old habits and makes us ready for change. While some of the work is visible on the outside, many of the improvements are deep within the invisible parts of our spirit.  We do our part by training consistently. Then, we wait upon God to bring supernatural growth. 

Stillness of the Soul

“The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 CSB)

A few years ago, fidget spinners were all the rage among children. Supposedly, these little toys were an outlet for restlessness. Kids who had trouble paying attention were soothed by having some form of movement. As students started bringing them into the classrooms, teachers noticed that these toys did not increase focus; instead, they added even more distraction. 

The ability to pay attention to one thing at a time is declining among all ages. Restlessness is the norm. Instead of curbing our busyness, we strive to find more and more outlets for fidgeting. Even religion has become hyperactive. Gone are the practices of silence, solitude, surrender, private prayer, contemplation, abstinence, and alone time with God. Everything we do seems to require an approving audience of many. 

God is quiet in His love. We recognize His presence in the stillness of our souls. The Lord is near--at the center of all. His power flows without boundaries. He gleefully pours His grace upon us. He calms our restlessness. He soothes our agitation.  In His presence we find peace and restoration.

 

Shema

“Shema Israel, ADONAI Eloheinu, ADONAI Echad. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, are to be on your heart.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-6 TLV)

Shema: Pay Attention.

Adonai Eloheinu: The Lord is God.

Adonai Echad: The Lord is One.

Be attentive to the Presence of God all around you, within you, and within every particle of creation.

Love Adonai with every fiber of your being. Immerse yourself completely. Be so preoccupied by the Divine Presence that everything else fades into the background. Pay attention to God. Bring your concerns to Him. Drop your baggage in front of Him unceremoniously--like a kid coming home from school dumps his backpack. 

Let God possess your life. Breathe in His Spirit. Fill your heart with His Presence.

Shema. Adonai Eloheinu. Adonai Echad. 

 

Psalm 82

“Pause in his presence. Defend the defenseless, the fatherless and the forgotten, the disenfranchised and the destitute. Your duty is to deliver the poor and the powerless; liberate them from the grasp of the wicked. But you continue in your darkness and ignorance while the foundations of society are shaken to the core!” (Psalm 82:2-5 TPT)

I am empathetic to the plight of the defenseless, the disenfranchised, and the destitute--but there is little that I can do to affect change. I am not powerless, but neither am I powerful. I am not an elected leader who can drive policy decisions. I am not a judge or an attorney with judicial knowledge. I am not a lobbyist or an activist with influence. I rarely even leave my house these days! These verses must be meant for the movers and shakers of this world. 

Then...I sensed the Lord shushing me.  Instead of using my inabilities as an excuse to look away, I asked God to reveal how I could help the poor and the powerless. As I paused in His presence, I was reminded of the following lines from the Book of Isaiah:

“The Lord Yahweh has equipped me

 with the anointed, skillful tongue of a teacher—

 to know how to speak a timely word to the weary.

 Morning by morning, he awakens my heart.

He opens my ears to hear his voice, to be trained to teach.” 

(Isaiah 50:4 TPT)

 

The Lord equips each of us uniquely. Perhaps, like me, you have been blessed with abilities to teach, listen, encourage, speak, or write. Or maybe you have resources, influence, time, experience, strength, or other privileges. These special powers can be used to bring light into darkness.  Systemic injustices are often hidden within long-held traditions. It takes some effort and attention to advocate for the defenseless and the disenfranchised. It is up to us to figure out how to use our talents and opportunities to bring about change.

Do Good

“Brothers and sisters, never grow tired of doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 VOICE)

Do you desire to do more good and less harm? Most of us would say yes, BUT we may have certain limitations. Perhaps we are too busy, have few resources, cannot physically be in certain places, have health issues, etc.  The pandemic has taught us how to do many things remotely. Some of these lessons can be applied to doing good. Here are some little things anyone can do to benefit the world. 

• Express gratitude sincerely. Be specific.

• Send a thoughtful message.

• Cook and drop off food.

• Donate money, clothes, food to local shelters.

• Call a person on the phone.

• Write a long letter or email.

• Figure out your skill sets. Share your skills with others.

• Pick up trash outside your home.

• Minimize use of fossil fuels, water, and other natural resources.

• Buy less.

• Waste less.

• Plant a tree or nurture a plant.

• Take care of an animal.

• Eat fewer animals.

• Reuse and recycle.

• Hold back unconstructive criticism.

• Speak up for the powerless.

• Take time to listen.

• Encourage and inspire.

• Show love, kindness, acceptance, and respect.

• Pray.

Trust vs. Confidence

“When struck by fear, I let go, depending securely upon You alone. In God—whose word I praise—in God I place my trust.” (Psalm 56:3-4 VOICE)

Someone recently asked me if I trust science more than the Bible. 

As a science major who went to a Baptist college where Bible courses were mandatory for all graduates, I’ve always been comfortable with both science and faith. Like mathematics, science in its purest form is data driven. Unfortunately, science has become politicized. While math is still considered to be factual and objective, science is now treated as if it were subject to interpretation. 

The Bible is sacred literature which has been translated and interpreted by many different cultures over centuries. It is filled with allegories, poetry, and parables that illustrate mysteries beyond human understanding. It is divinely inspired but written and codified by humans. Christian denominations do not all agree on the validity of varying texts of the Bible. Some accept certain books while rejecting others. There are groups who take certain verses of the Bible literally, while glossing over other parts as depictions of ancient cultural practices.

Although trust and confidence are often used interchangeably, trust is a much more expansive concept. I have a certain degree of confidence in science, granted that the data is accurate. Confidence is rational and logical. It is based on previous experiences of reliability. You can back it up with data. Trust is beyond reason, beyond logic, beyond rational thinking. You can neither prove it nor disprove it with data or experiences. Trust grows in the soil of uncertainty. It stems from the belief that we cannot know all there is to know. Trust is an act of faith. It is a letting go of our need for certainty. 

In answer to the original question: While both science and the Bible have greatly informed my understanding and shaped my life, my trust is placed in God alone.

Truth Telling

“They say to those gifted with discernment and insight:

    “Stop with your visions. We’ve had enough of them.”

They say to the prophets, “Tell us only what we’d like to hear;

    save your truth-telling pessimism for someone else.

We want to hear flattery.” (Isaiah 30:10 VOICE)

A recent article by Maria Shriver made a profound impression on me. In it she writes about moving forward with intention, purpose, and accountability. She asks herself the following question:   

“Am I surrounded by people I admire who will give me sound advice? Do I actually have people around me who will help me, tell me the truth, and who will guide me forward in these uncertain times? Do I have a circle of accountability partners, and do I check in with them often enough?” (Maria Shriver)

 

This question gave me pause. I have supportive family members and many wonderful friends. We are kind, respectful, and encouraging to each other. Our relationships are based on positive and fun interactions. We rarely call each other out on anything, unless a person explicitly asks us to do so. We prefer to skirt around sensitive issues and differences of opinions. I am not fond of saying anything that creates tension. I won’t lie to flatter anyone, but I also refrain from speaking truth that might be hurtful. Thus, I have very few accountability partners.

 

Accountability and truth-telling feels pessimistic and divisive. It is just as hard to speak unpleasant truth as it is to receive it.  How can we cultivate relationships with those who are willing to speak and listen to truth? First, we must surround ourselves with insightful people who are willing to have uncomfortable conversations. When they say things we do not want to hear, we have to listen without being defensive. Similarly, when it is our turn to be the truth-tellers, we have to muster up the moral courage to speak up. This takes honesty and consistency. Accountability partners have to check in with each other often. We have to openly discuss sensitive topics while still remaining respectful. Most of all, the relationship must be saturated in love, acceptance, and forgiveness. 

Making Meaning

“For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 VOICE)

Making a salad can be a creative and contemplative process. As I wash the vegetables, I thank God for the gift of plants and for creating sunlight, soil, and pollination. I am grateful for the farm workers who planted the seeds, watered the plants, harvested the vegetables, washed the dirt off, and made these vegetables ready for transport. I think of the truck drivers who drove these vegetables to the store and the supermarket workers who unloaded the trucks and arranged them in the produce section. So much work went into getting these vegetables into my hands. Now, it is my turn to make something meaningful out of all of this bounty. I chop the onions, slice the tomatoes, assemble the lettuce and spinach, and mix everything with vinegar and a few drops of oil. I add salt and pepper. I garnish the top with seeds and nuts. When I’m done, my countertops and floor are littered with bits of onions, drops of tomato juice, and the stems of peppers. I wash the cutting boards and knives. I wipe down the counters. I sweep the floor. Even though the process is messy, I enjoy serving my salad creations to my family. 

My creativity is connected to the resources around me. I praise God for all of existence. I am grateful to all those who came before me and influenced me. Now it is my turn. I notice the raw materials, pick them up, and assemble them. I read, contemplate, and untangle knotty concepts. I write and rewrite.  My creative process is messy.  My thoughts are often incomplete and biased. The results are often sloppy. Even though I sense they are imperfect, I serve up my offerings. I continue this practice because this is how I make meaning. This is how I construct purpose. This is how I follow my calling. 

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