by Elaine Olsen | May 21, 2013 | confessions of a reluctant juror, freedom, knowing God, living God's truth, ministry life, truth, words
Truth exists. Truth isn’t relative. Sometimes, however, truth gets buried beneath the details—layer upon layer of story that muddy up the process of discovery. Why conceal it? To quote Jack Nicholson’s famous line from the movie A Few Good Men . . . “You can’t handle...
by Elaine Olsen | May 6, 2013 | freedom, letting go, living God's truth, obedience
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” –Isaiah 43:18-19 It’s time to throw-away the blue sweater (modeled here by mini-me, a.k.a. Miss Amelia). How do I know the time has come? I...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 30, 2013 | family fun, Lessons from the Lunchroom, living God's truth, parenting, truth
The sound of Nerf guns blare from the living room – background noise to accompany my thoughts this afternoon. Make it stop! That’s what I’m thinking. Goodness, mercy me! How in the world have we survived this experiment, this year-long foray into the world of...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 17, 2013 | conviction, faith, holiness, living God's truth, parenting
Messy and mad. Life is. I am. Messy life. Mad me. There’s no prettying up this one, not enough shine and polish to make it less obvious to others. Anyway, what’s the point of a cover-up other than to possibly fool someone into thinking I have it altogether? I...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 11, 2013 | courage, desert dwelling, evil, faith, living God's truth, ministry life, packing up, right words; right timing, strength, trust
A couple of nights ago, I called my older boys and offered them this caution: “Be on guard, sons. Apparently our family is now Satan’s new, favorite chew-toy.” The next morning, my mother called with a similar warning: “Elaine, I’ve been standing here in front of the...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 7, 2013 | faith, living God's truth, ministry life, packing up, pilgrimage, surrender, trust
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” –Psalm 84:5 Her heart spilled over into mine as I read the struggle in her words. Another pastor’s wife, just like me, living the itinerant lifestyle—a nomadic calling...
