The name Lilias Trotter is not what commonly comes to mind when thinking of famous Christian missionaries, but is one that should not quickly be forgotten. Isabella “Lilias” Trotter was born in 1853 to a well-to-do family, with a highly educated Scottish and English heritage. Her father and mother raised her in the ways of… Continue reading Lilias Trotter, A Brief Biography & Reflection
Kennedy & Grief & The Land of the Living
It is almost five years ago that my friend, Kennedy, died unexpectedly. She was only 18 years old when she died from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). I have written a lot about Kennedy since she died, but have never shared any of it publicly. It all seemed too close, too private, too messy… Continue reading Kennedy & Grief & The Land of the Living
Lent, Spring, & The Kokosing River
By mid-January I am generally left wondering how much more winter and darkness I can take that season. Winter is a struggle for me in many ways, and January and February often prove to hold significant spiritual wrestling. Having been raised in a protestant evangelical setting, I did not grow up observing the season of… Continue reading Lent, Spring, & The Kokosing River
Twenty Twenty-One – A Year Review
JANUARY I deleted all social media, and had to learn to be okay with being “disconnected” to be connected in real life. Margie died, and we hugged our friends in their grief. I designed, patterned, and sewed new products at my seamstress job, and learned the trick to efficiently measure out enough yardage to cover… Continue reading Twenty Twenty-One – A Year Review
Prayer of Petition IX – Advent
"Come, as You came as God Incarnate, Reside in our hearts. Dwell in our homes. Be near us in our gardens. Carry us through the valleys, Up the steep mountain slopes. Gather with us around the feasting table, O Thou our Living Bread. Anoint our souls as Your precious temples. Be always in us and… Continue reading Prayer of Petition IX – Advent
Refuge Against the Winter Dark – Prayer of Petition VIII
I remember the first time I realized that the time change affected me. Lying on the living room floor, facing the ceiling, I was unable to motivate myself to rise because of how dark it was by 4pm. The darkness outside seemed to physically hold my body to the floor. Two years ago I wrote… Continue reading Refuge Against the Winter Dark – Prayer of Petition VIII
Jesus, Doubting Thomas, & Me
I was born into a Christian family, raised in the Church, and steeped in the language of the faith. I was saved at a young age, baptized as a child, and continued to grow in the Lord throughout my teens. My parents, family, teachers, and church had taught me the Gospel. They had laid the… Continue reading Jesus, Doubting Thomas, & Me
Writing Again
I have not written much this year. I haven’t kept a journal since January, and there are not my normal yearly number of entries on the Notes app. At the beginning of the year I deleted all social media accounts, and cut back on the number of devotions that I write for OpenDoorsUSA. I have… Continue reading Writing Again
Mundane Beauty in a Sterilized World
In a world of instant gratification and lightning speed electronics, I long for stillness, labor, and a practice of quiet. I want to take the time to not only see, but also enjoy beautiful things, extravagant and mundane beauty alike. This is, I think, a God-placed desire. While we live on earth we long for… Continue reading Mundane Beauty in a Sterilized World
The Faithful God of a Skeptical Child
Deep down, I think that I have always been a skeptic. I have always doubted that God answers the prayers of His people. Not that He does not hear my prayers, but that He will answer them. With my mouth I have professed the truth, and may have even believed it at times, but most… Continue reading The Faithful God of a Skeptical Child
Emma Schramm 