Tracy's Blog

Yes, you read that title correctly!  Here we are in the middle of Lent and today (March 25th) is a Holy Day that points us to the Incarnation: The Annunciation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We usually read the Gospel account of the Annunciation during Advent as we are preparing to celebrate Christmas and we are swept up in the amazing truth that God became human and dwelt among us.  But Mary wasn't pregnant for only a few weeks.  March 25th is 9 months before December 25th and it is the date that the Church has designated to attend to the miraculous and glorious event of the Annunciation. As you read the passage, invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you.... in your place of need.  You may want to read it slowly, two or three times.  Let the words so familiar in another season of our lives bring hope and perspective during this season of contrition and repentance. peace and grace, Tracy Luke 1:26-38 (ESV) 26  In the sixth mon...

Lent is a time for self-reflection.  To become more aware of the habits and patterns of our life and see what they point to: trust in God or reliance on self/something other?  A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about 1Thessalonians 5:14 and challenged myself to self-examination to see if I was "reading" myself wrong and therefore not dealing with myself as the verse encourages us to treat others. ( Click here for link to that blo g).  So, what did I come up with? Well, the first thing is that the NASB translation has stayed fixed in my mind: "We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." I found the word "unruly" spoke to me in a way that lazy doesn't.  For years I accused myself of being lazy but later realized I wasn't lazy, I was anxious, fearful, or discouraged.  I was fainthearted. Encouragement was what I needed not admonishment or warning.  I now find it hard to discern ...

Not the carbonated beverage, our dog.  Now if you've read my blog over the years, you might be surprised at the title.  Pepsi has appeared in these blogs as a source of frustration (see January 15, 2014 ) but today he is a source of insight. Our weather here at the moment is spring-like: +3 degrees and melting.  This means the sidewalks are slippery  in spots as ice is melting but not completely gone.  We were just out for a walk and I slipped on the ice.  A quick scene flashed through my mind which included a trip to ER and a wrist cast.  But that didn't happen.  Instead, as I was falling, Pepsi's leash became taut providing a stabilizing force for me and I was able to gain my balance.  Whew!  Then as I walked, I began to think how this can be a picture of the spiritual life. Seasons change in our lives.  Even in our spiritual lives, we move through seasons as God works in different areas to continue to sanctify us.  Duri...