by Elaine Olsen | Jul 20, 2014 | book special, contests, faith, fellowship with God, God's voice, knowing God, living God's truth, obedience, peace, peace for the journey, pilgrimage, trust
I came across a verse this Sabbath afternoon while working my way through HeBrews: a Better Blend. I don’t think my author-friend, Leah, meant for me to park my thoughts at this particular verse for any length of time; nevertheless it parked alongside me, keeping...
by Elaine Olsen | Feb 11, 2014 | Beyond Cancer's Scars (the story behind the story), blessing, brokenness, cancer volume 4, knowing God, living God's truth, pain, silence, speaking, words
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today …” –Hebrews 3:13 I saw it in their eyes last evening … a familiar pain. It’s one I’ve felt before. It always touches a nerve whenever I speak on it, especially those nerves deeply embedded in the heart...
by Elaine Olsen | Feb 2, 2014 | alicia chole, book review, church life, communion, give aways, knowing God, rest, sundays
“Cease from what is necessary. Embrace that which gives life.” This is the golden rule of Sabbath according to Mark Buchanan, author of The Rest of God: Restoring your Soul by Restoring Sabbath. Have you read these words, this extraordinary book that feels less like...
by Elaine Olsen | Jan 1, 2014 | anchor verse, fellowship with God, God's Word, knowing God, obedience, trust
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” –Isaiah 26:3, ESV Kept. This is who I want to be in 2014. This is how I want to live. Kept … in perfect peace—the Father’s pledge to me preceded by my obedience...
by Elaine Olsen | Dec 26, 2013 | Advent, christmas, creation, faith, fellowship with God, knowing God, pilgrimage, silence, worship
I’ve been waiting for this day for several weeks now. December 26th – the day after Christmas. No wrapping. No baking. No one needing me quite so much. More peace. More quiet. More time to take a walk beneath the beauty of a setting sun. This is where I found the...
by Elaine Olsen | Nov 19, 2013 | family fun, joy, knowing God, living God's truth, out of the mouths of babes, thanksgiving
“Mom, I need to tell you something about that song. It just touches my heart.” Her assessment was correct as evidenced by her hand over her heart, tears rolling gently down her cheeks. “Just imagine, mom, people hearing those words for the first time and asking ‘Who …...
