In Others’ Words: When God says “Go”

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Life 6 Comments

When we moved to Colorado, our friend, Tony hugged me and my husband and said, “I’m going with people who are going with God — and you two are going with God.” At the time, Tony was more excited about our move than I was. Why? Because Tony was looking ahead — at where God was leading us. I was …

In Others’ Words: No Limits

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words 11 Comments

I like hanging around people who make me think. And that’s one of the reasons I like my friend Rachel Hauck. She makes me think. Big thoughts. Braver thoughts. Bolder thoughts.  She makes me open my eyes wider and look for God, and all the while it’s like she’s whispering in my ear, “He’s right there, Beth. Can’t you see …

In Others’ Words: Looking for a “handout”

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words 9 Comments

In the Fellowship of the Ring, the first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy by Peter Jackson, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins describes how he feels to Gandalf the Gray Wizard this way: I feel … thin. Sort of stretched, if you know what I mean. Like … butter scraped over too much bread.  Thin. Stretched. Scraped. All perfect descriptors of life when hope is worn …

In Others’ Words: Discipline and Celebration

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Quotes 7 Comments

Two words stand out to me in Henri Nouwen’s quote: discipline and gratitude. Nouwen reminds us that gratitude is a discipline — that it takes effort to be thankful. And knowing how easily I can fall into counting my “lack of” rather than counting all the ways my life is filled to overflowing with so much more goodness than I ever …

In Others’ Words: If …

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Life, Quotes 22 Comments

Sometimes it’s good to go back to the anchor truths that hold me steady. The faith-realities — no contradiction there — that I turn to over and over again when doubt whispers in my ear or failure taunts me or an invisible someone insists I’m not good enough. God is with me. His very name is Immanuel, God with us …

In Others’ Words: Seeing

Beth VogtLife 27 Comments

Faith convinces us of things unseen. (Hebrews 11:1) Sometimes I have more faith in the unseen “oh no’s” — the experiences I dread, the what-ifs that figuratively take me out at the knees. I open my eyes wide … peer into the darkness … and see more darkness looming ahead of me. My faith, my hope, is shrouded in fear …

In Others’ Words: Feel Better Now?

Beth VogtFaith, Life, Quotes, Reality 23 Comments

“Feeling better has become more important to us than finding God.” ~Larry Crabb (1944-), psychologist & author I read this quote and said, “Huh.” Out loud. And then, as I am wont to do, I read the words again and thought, “Is it true? For me?” This quote smacked me across the face and brought me to my knees. I …