Tag Archives: peace

wordless wednesday

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[101.365] so long, my friend

[101.365] so long, my friend

Just like last Thursday, the rain is pouring down. As frustrating as the rain can be, it can also signal re-birth and growth (although I’m none too thrilled about having left a perfectly beautiful day in Florida to see it). Our band gathered for the first time tonight after losing our friend and just like the last time we sang, I could still hear his voice and like the rain, the sound was peaceful and refreshing. Thanks for blessing us tonight with your presence, Paul.

death on a tree

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It’s just after the end of a Good Friday. More than some in the past, I feel like the timing was perfect. Many of us needed it; the reminder of who Jesus was, all that He stood for and what he did … for ALL of us. I think today’s message is very simple. And very clear.

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21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”  – 1 Peter 2:21-24

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HELLO, my name is

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We’re all given a name at birth, right? I (fortunately or otherwise) was given the name Staci. No, it is not short for Anastasia. And yes, it is spelled with an “i”. I did learn in a very brief InterWeb search that my name is Greek in origin and means “Resurrection” (which is awesome and makes all kinds of sense) and that its most popular year was 1973 … many, many years before my birth.

But, aside from that very strange pique in self-confidence we all get when we hear our name and that very awkward feeling we get when we have to write it on those silly stickers at an event, how much can we really identify with our name? In my opinion, it ultimately takes a back seat to all of the other labels we might be given throughout our lives. Continue reading →

october sixth

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I went to visit him last night. To be completely honest, I didn’t get out of the car but I still talked to him. I told him that I was sorry and that I can’t believe he’s been gone for four years. And then, in typical fashion, he made me laugh. I remembered that last in-person conversation we’d had just a few months before October 6, 2008 … the one where he invited me to his funeral. He laughed and I may have punched him but he reiterated that he meant it. I really was invited. You still make me laugh today, JJ. I’ll love you forever, and just like I signed off the text to my dad last night about that story … brat.

the only great-grandpa he ever knew

 

wordless wednesday

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Words are coming soon; I’ve felt at odds with my thoughts this week but I’m working through it. In the meantime, I wanted to share another perspective on the same beautiful sunset from Sunday evening. I realized far too late in the evening it would be spectacular so I just got in the car and drove until I found a clearing. So, this is somewhere between where I live and the big lake. Sometimes, taking a detour is totally worth it.

never forget

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ground zero, april 2007

“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget.” – Arundhati Roy