by Elaine Olsen | May 21, 2014 | courage, creation, fellowship with God, peace, pilgrimage, provision, rest, trust
This has been my saving grace in this season. Mind you, not the grace that saves me from my sin but, rather, the grace that keeps my sanity intact. Whenever the stressors in my life seem too big and my capacity for handling them feels too small, I strap on my tennis...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 24, 2014 | a quick word, discipleship, friendship, kingdom, living God's truth, ministry life, peace, peace for the journey, pilgrimage
A few things occur to me this morning while reading Luke’s account of “Jesus sending out the seventy-two” (Luke 10:1-24). In particular, I’m focusing on two sentiments/phrases that Jesus instructed his disciples to use in their evangelism campaigns. What...
by Elaine Olsen | Jan 11, 2014 | Beyond Cancer's Scars (the story behind the story), cancer, cancer volume 4, obedience, peace, surrender, words
I remember the night I first penned those beginning words to Beyond Cancer’s Scars with the nudge of the Holy Spirit alongside: “Out of your poverty, Elaine, surrender your pen.” It was a hard obedience. At that point in my journey, I was exhausted, worn out and...
by Elaine Olsen | Dec 4, 2013 | christmas, hunger, letting go, living God's truth, pain, parenting, peace, suffering, surrender, worship
Silent night. It’s been one of those for me. I tried to fill it with a few phone calls and text messages to friends while waiting in my car for my kids to emerge from their youth group meeting. No one answered. All was silent, and the hush filled my heart until I...
by Elaine Olsen | Oct 21, 2013 | artistry, contests, give aways, peace, peace for the journey
**CONTEST IS CLOSED! Thanks to everyone who took the time to peruse Melanie’s work. Amelia just drew the winner – SKOOTS 1 MOM. Congratulations, Skoots. Please shoot me your mailing address so that I can pass it along to Melanie. Then He arose and rebuked...
by Elaine Olsen | Oct 8, 2013 | courage, creation, freedom, peace, prayer, rest
From where I’m sitting this morning, I see the witness of the changing season. The tree that hedges my bedroom window is beginning to sharpen in color, while surrendering a leaf to the wind every few minutes. I could stare at it for hours. What rich beauty there is in...