“Hope” is the thing with feathers -That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all”

—Emily Dickinson

@ourtinycottage

Latest Posts

  • Don’t Let Them Yank Your Chain

      Election day is coming this week. Please vote. Think. Read. Pray. Think. Pray. Vote. Don't expect yourself, your pastor, or your favorite news outlet to be infallible. Don't trust every mailer, tweet, post, or commercial that comes across your… Continue reading

  • Deep Comfort Is Uncomfortable Sometimes

    "Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in… Continue reading

  • Prayer Is a Turning

    There is a simplicity buried in the complexity of prayer that emerges in the moment of our fullest engagement as we turn to God and God turns us around and around and around — so much so, that it resembles… Continue reading

  • Growing on Pace

    Gabby Giffords was not the first to say this, but she is, perhaps, the most credible. Here's what Jesus said: “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed,… Continue reading

  • Meeting People Where they Are

    Rejoice with them that do rejoice; weep with them that weep. - Romans 12:15  The hospice instructor wrote the words, “Fix it” on the board and proceeded to declare, “You can’t do it.” You can’t fix it. So then, what can… Continue reading

  • An Odd Sort of Empowerment

    Bless them that persecute you; bless and curse not.  - Romans 12:14 When you bless your persecutors you are taking control of your own life. There are those even among Christians who consider anyone who takes these seriously to be… Continue reading

  • Setting a Place at the Table

    Distributing to the necessity of the saints; given to hospitality. –Romans 12:13  Have you ever gone out into the community around your church building and asked neighbors what they know about your fellowship without identifying yourself as a member? It… Continue reading

  • The Triple Threat to Discouragement

      Part 1– The Forward View Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. – Romans 12:12 Discouragement has met its match. Romans 12:12 has a devastating affect on discouragement by wielding a weapon I call "The Triple… Continue reading

  • Energized Living

      Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. – Romans 12:11    Half-heartedness is the curse of mediocrity. It is the spirit of lukewarm faith that so offended Jesus about the church of Laodicea in the book of Revelation.… Continue reading

  • Two Tests of Love

    Christian Affection Romans 12:10a – Be kindly affectioned one toward another with brotherly love; There are three kinds of love described in the New Testament through the use of three different Greek words. The first is mandated in Romans 12:9… Continue reading

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