​Good Morning friend,
          Sometimes I find it difficult to speak what I feel in my heart.  It is difficult to share my truth when I know that my experience may not coincide with your beliefs.  Yet, if we are to experience real connection that is exactly what we must do—be brave and vulnerable enough to risk rejection.  When I view the world from a distance, I see division.  We are divided from one another in almost every area of our lives—the sorting I was writing about last week and according to experts, the predominant cause of this sorting seems to be fear.   Friends, we need real, honest connection.  We must come out of our sheltered homes and bravely reach out, speak out, and act with moral integrity. No name calling.  No judging from afar. 
          Last week, I was impressed with Liz Cheney.  She overcame her fear of vulnerability, of getting hurt, of the pain of disconnection and rejection. Her fear of criticism and conflict did not stop her and she was able to stand alone bravely for her belief that the election was not stolen. She lost political power and connection.  She did not toe the party line and did so with grace.  Later she was called, “a bitter horrible human being.”  You may not agree with Liz’s political views and that is okay.  But admire, you must, her moral integrity and courage.  If we want to bring the world together, one nation under God, we must see the face of God even in our adversary.  You and I may not be able to influence Washington politics, but we can be brave and reach out to those whose race, gender, faith, etc., may be different from ours. Listen to their story—their pain—their faith journey.  Share your wounded places and what you’ve learned.   It’s hard to hate up close and personal.  Jesus not only said to “love your neighbor,” but also “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). 
Come on, people now                                                                                                                                                     smile on your brother                                                                                                                                           Everybody get together,                                                                                                                                              try to love one another right now.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Linda

Good Morning friend,
          I love writing to you once a week about the thoughts that are roaming through my mind.  Our physical health.  Mental health.  Our faith journeys.  Even though we are separated from one another I somehow feel connected to you in a closeness I cherish.
          This week I was reading about the cultural phenomenon of sorting. Not our laundry—the whites, the colors, the delicate, etc.  In Brene’ Brown’s book, Braving the Wilderness, she writes about the sorting that is happening in our nation.  Americans are sorting by gender, race, political affiliation, religion, to name just a few ways. We are divided from one another in almost every area of our lives.  Very few people are working on connecting.  We have grown more extreme in our thinking and consume only facts that support our beliefs.  We support politicians, strangers we don’t really know, barely believe, and definitely don’t love.  
          Friends, we need real, honest connection.  Your senator is not going to drive you to chemo.  Your congressman is not going to watch your children or prepare you dinner when you are ill.  Let’s get real.  We need community.  What comes to my mind just now are lyrics from the Youngbloods:
                                              Come on, people now                                                                                                                                                         smile on your brother                                                                                                                                                        Everybody get together,                                                                                                                                                     try to love one another right now.
          Let’s, you and I, reach out to our neighbors today.  Don’t put it off. We need each other.   Jesus’ mandate is that we love one another.   Support one another.  Lift up the fallen.  Feed the hungry.  You know how to do it—to love.  Let’s be Jesus’ hands and feet in a hurting world.
                                                        Linda

Good morning dear one,
          It’s been a long time since I heard that distinct voice instructing me and guiding me to a new path.   Perhaps because I was mired in despair, I was finding it difficult to lift my head and seek His face.  Last week I received a word from the Lord, “You were meant to be free.”  Perhaps, no word sums up the complete story of the Bible better than the word free.  The defining moment in the Old Testament is the story of the people of God in the Exodus as they are set free from slavery in Egypt and set on the course for the Promised Land. Ironically, many of the Israelites found their new found freedom overwhelming and chose to return to bondage.  Freedom continues to be the message of the New Testament as Jesus is portrayed as the great liberator bringing freedom to those feeling hopelessness, anguish and despair. 


 Today many in our world are still in physical slavery. Some are trapped by guilt or selfishness.  Still others are bound by alcohol or drugs. For me, I have come to realize that fear was my bondage.  My life seemed to be overwhelmed with challenges: cancer, advanced aging, and an uncertain future.  My soul was weary.  I share these intimate details because I am certain that I am not alone and that you too might be enslaved.  I don’t have my easy answer yet.  All I know for certain is that the Lord spoke and I heard, “You were meant to be free.”  I have learned that the messages I receive are never for me alone, but meant to be shared.  Your task is to interpret how this phrase applies to your own life.  Ask yourself, “Where do I need to be set free?”                                                                          Jesus said, I came to set the captives free.  Luke 4:18
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