This morning, I received a text from an out-of-town friend. She simply asked, “How are you?” I stared at my phone for a few seconds trying to determine how to answer honestly without drafting a book. I finally typed, “I’m trying to keep my head on straight and my emotions in check.” That was the […]
How can we live the story of God this season? As I sit in front of my keyboard, the sun streams through the window, warming my back. The sweet smells of a cashmere-scented candle waft through the air while the melodies of “Everlasting God” fill the in-between spaces. “Strength will rise as we wait upon
My full name is Elizabeth Bramstedt. It is unique enough that I have never been confused with anyone else. That is until my son married an Elizabeth. Now there are two of us! Thankfully, I go by Beth, and she goes by Liz, but that does not really matter when the bank still gets our
It was a normal Monday and a co-worker and I headed out to lunch. When we arrived, we were surprised to find an empty lobby. A cheerful, middle-aged woman greeted us from behind the cash register and took our order. As I went to pay, my card was declined. I mentioned it was my business
What does the Bible offer and how do I read it? Like anything written that we encounter, we must decide how to read it. Do we need to study it or browse the headlines? Do we need the details or just the overview? Do we read it as news, as art, or for entertainment?
What is prayer and how do we pray? Such a good question. Like any relationship we have, we need communication to build intimacy and trust. Being in a relationship involves speaking and listening to one another. The same is true in our relationship with God. To be straightforward, prayer is the language we have for
Halloween. At first glance, Halloween is a time of superstition. It’s a holiday steeped in the history of ancient pagan festivals. Halloween blurs the lines between life and death. It ushers in the dark, cold days of winter, and offers the chance to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. But Halloween is also a time
