by Elaine Olsen | Feb 27, 2019 | church life, holiness, methodism, ministry life, pain, surrender
“Even if it wounds him.” That was the prayer that I prayed several years ago on behalf of one of my sons who was going through a particularly difficult time in his life. It was a hard prayer to pray. No good parent wants to invite unnecessary pain...
by Elaine Olsen | Nov 30, 2018 | a quick word, letting go, surrender
I’ve watched her over the past few weeks, preparing herself for a new season. Her golden brilliance was ours but for a few days, or so it seems. Without resistance, she’s released her color to the earth. Valiantly she stands, as she always has, tethered to the soil by...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 14, 2018 | brokenness, courage, fellowship with God, letting go, pain, suffering, surrender
Betrayal. It’s a terrible sting, a wounding not easily salved. Betrayal cuts more profoundly than disappointment because betrayal is rooted in motive. Betrayal is planned deception. Betrayal is attached to the heart. Whereas I am often disappointed by someone’s...
by Elaine Olsen | Jul 23, 2017 | courage, evil, faith, fellowship with God, prayer, rest, strength, surrender
“Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.” Those are the words chiseled into the marble sarcophagus that holds the body of an unidentified military veteran from WWI. In addition, two other unidentified soldiers from WWII and the Korean War are...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 2, 2017 | discipleship, joy, kingdom, letting go, surrender
“He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” -John 12:6 Spring fever has hit these parts. I don’t know about...
by Elaine Olsen | Oct 22, 2014 | christian perfection, faith, holiness, Lessons from the Lunchroom, living God's truth, pain, pilgrimage, surrender, trust
It’s the heart stuff that concerns me most … both theirs and mine. Growing pains. A soul stretch. A sacred wrecking … reckoning. We’re in this together, and (at this point in the journey) we’re standing at a crossroads. Either we’re going deeper into this holy...
