Journaler / Writer

There Comes a Time

December 31, 2015 By Verna Bowman 15 Comments

What new beginning do you need? There comes a time when we all need a new beginning. A time when we say I can’t do this any longer – I must have something change – and I will do something to bring change. But we’re limited. If we weren’t we wouldn’t make so many temporary resolutions at the turn of a year and fail miserably … [Read more...]

Prophet of Christmas Hope

December 22, 2015 By Verna Bowman 8 Comments

All I want for Christmas . . . is hope. You too? It doesn’t seem reasonable to look back to the ancient pages of Isaiah to find hope for today . . . but I do. Isaiah’s connection to the story of Jesus is all over Advent. Even his name means “Yahweh saves” and foretells the Christmas story. For a child shall be born for … [Read more...]

Child–Wonder

December 2, 2015 By Verna Bowman 4 Comments

Have you noticed we don’t have to teach a child wonder? Children own wonder. And so can we. . . Wonder and astonishment belong to the Christmas story. It's too wonderful to outgrow. What would it take to walk out the Advent season with wide-eyed wonder? To understand, to really know, we are an important part of … [Read more...]

Thanks but No Thanks

November 16, 2015 By Verna Bowman 7 Comments

Giving thanks when it makes no sense makes no sense. Actually, it does. Scripture tells us to give thanks in every circumstance. Even in the rough and raw places that get scarred by too much life. I ask a wounded friend what she’s thankful for. And so she says the usual, “husband, kids, roof over my head.” What if the … [Read more...]

Shifting Seasons

October 17, 2015 By Verna Bowman 20 Comments

Most of us look forward to the changing of seasons, especially when earth turns technicolor. I do. But then there’s the other side – when clocks turn ahead and speed time and darkness. It's all about the focus. It’s the same with personal seasons – when frailty collides with the way we see it. Once again, as this season … [Read more...]