by Elaine Olsen | Aug 28, 2022 | church life, God's Word, knowing God, living God's truth, ministry life
Our Sunday School roster of teachers was down to slim pickings today. The regularly scheduled facilitator and her substitute were otherwise detained, and I offered to step in at the last minute. Attendance numbers were slim as well, but what we lack in quantity we...
by Elaine Olsen | Jul 31, 2021 | finding an unseen God, hunger, intimacy with God, kingdom, knowing God, pilgrimage
“Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them …” (Matthew 5:1-2) This world. What a mess. Spiritually speaking. Emotionally speaking. Physically speaking. Politically speaking....
by Elaine Olsen | Jan 11, 2021 | fellowship with God, God's voice, Jadon's fight, knowing God, night visits
I watched the faint blip of light hop through the night sky. It was barely noticeable set against the clear, brilliant backdrop of the crisp January evening. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have noticed it during my walk; ordinarily I’m not looking up. But two nights ago, I...
by Elaine Olsen | Mar 27, 2019 | God's voice, God's Word, knowing God, night visits
It’s 4:00 AM; I can’t sleep. A strained shoulder and a pack of prednisone are to blame. I’ve started and finished a 350-page historical novel that’s been sitting bedside for weeks. I’ve read the book of James. I’ve prayed over my family. I’ve shed a few tears. And...
by Elaine Olsen | Dec 15, 2017 | dad, family fun, God's voice, knowing God, ministry life, pilgrimage, right words; right timing, words
I had a dream last night. So strong in its witness, I needed to “get it down” on paper this morning. Perhaps in doing so, it will get down to a deeper place inside of me so that I might more fully live it outside of me. The sermon that was never heard. Allow me to...
by Elaine Olsen | Jul 23, 2016 | calling, knowing God, living God's truth, ministry life
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” –Psalm 84:10 There was a defining moment in my ministry life several years ago. It happened unexpectedly but not...
