I’d like to say that Mike and I walked through God’s open door and lived happily ever after, but that would be a complete lie.  Neither one of us walked through the door. “I’m open to other options, but,” Mike said one day about two weeks later. I knew there would be a ‘but.’ “I … Continue reading I Can See Clearly Now – A Trip Up the Mountain – Part 1

Mike and I continued serving the Lord in different churches with varied levels of commitment for the next couple of years.  There were good days and struggles. God gave us an open door, but we didn't see it at the time. The chasm between Mike and me got wider and wider, and the fear grew … Continue reading When God Opens a Door You Don’t Want to Walk Through

During this time of year my mind wanders back to memories of my growing up.  Rather than press on with my book this week, I pulled out this piece to share.  May it stir some great memories for you or give you a better picture of what love looks like. Feet scrunched together in rubber boots, we … Continue reading Washtub Sled

The next couple of weeks stretched out in silence. I sensed the tension growing but was not wanting to start a fire, so I measured my words with care. On July 1 I went to a meeting leaving Mike and Sarah at home.  Later I discovered they’d spent two hours discussing life, fears, divorce, and … Continue reading Fiery Love – More Memorable Than Fireworks

The vision of our oneness lingered in the background forever promising things to come.  But, Mikes’ and my relationship continued on shaky ground.  As our church plant grew, the tensions at home increased as well.  In July 1990, the undercurrent of anger, fear, and distrust erupted.  I felt the first tremors in June.   Here are … Continue reading Storm Warning, Run to the Rock

The folding metal chair at our church gathering creaked as I tried to find a comfortable position.  I never remember them being this hard before.  It was not the chair at all, but my body still tense with the cold sendoff I got when I left home this evening.  Mike and I had not worshiped … Continue reading I Was Hoping for a Sprint, But the Assignment Was a Marathon

The party was over. here The phone that had been ringing without stop grew silent over the next few weeks.  We forwarded all calls to the main headquarters.  We did our best to honor the requests of the officials to keep the details of our departure unspoken. Meanwhile, the pastor pursued a Vineyard church affiliation.  Several … Continue reading In the Midst of Pain, He Brings Peace

 I woke up still wrestling with the issue of where God wanted me to be. The undercurrent from church leadership was growing.  We just finished a summer of great Holy Spirit encounters, but it wasn’t meeting church approval.  The questions loomed. “If You are leading us to freedom, Father, I sure don’t see it happening … Continue reading What to do When God Pulls You Out of the Party

I could hear the phone ringing before I unlocked the office door. I grabbed the keys and added my purse to the pile of books and files already in my arms.  As I fumbled through the door, the message machine finished it’s warm greeting.  Then a pleasant voice said, “This is Sheri from Detroit. Please … Continue reading Sometimes We Get Lost in the Blessings and Forget God’s Ways