Just the Normal Noises

October 31, 2011 By

Stupid Phones. We’re Holdouts.  What Counts as Quiet? I paused in the parking lot of the suburban hotel and listened. I heard, and felt, music hurtling from a car on the street, subwoofer driving the bass beat into my bones. Somewhere on the sidewalk a woman laughed. The “Walk” signal at the intersection chirped out […]


Filed Under: creation, God's omnipotence, gratitude, hotel, peace, prayer, Psalm 98, quiet, thanksgiving, worship

Just the Normal Noises

October 31, 2011 By

Stupid Phones. We’re Holdouts.  What Counts as Quiet? I paused in the parking lot of the suburban hotel and listened. I heard, and felt, music hurtling from a car on the street, subwoofer driving the bass beat into my bones. Somewhere on the sidewalk a woman laughed. The “Walk” signal at the intersection chirped out […]


Filed Under: creation, God's omnipotence, gratitude, hotel, peace, prayer, Psalm 98, quiet, thanksgiving, worship

Apples, Apricots, and Acts of Worship

September 16, 2011 By

An Inviting Hallway. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. September, 2011. Seeking Treasures in Shangri-La An unexpected gift led my husband and me to spend our anniversary weekend in Ojai, a tiny town tucked snugly into the hills east of Ventura. We crave tranquility when we travel; the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa promised peace. And so […]


Filed Under: anniversary, beauty, Ephesians 5, gifts, God's omnipotence, hotel, rest, travel, treasure, worship

Jesus Gave me Socks

June 27, 2009 By

Heroes at Cook’s Corner. October 22, 2007. Crisis and Inconvenience: A Lesson in Pridefulness and Dependence We invited Rich’s parents to join us for dinner on Sunday, October 21, 2007. We passed a splendid afternoon together. Fifteen minutes after they left our home, Rich’s dad phoned us to say that he had spotted smoke while […]


Filed Under: blessings, crisis, evacuation, fatigue, God's omnipotence, hotel, Romans 8, Saddleback Church, Santiago fire