Corella Roberts's Blog, page 2

Is Deconstruction a Normal Part of the Journey of Faith?

If life is a journey, then where’s my map?

Maybe you’ve had that thought or something similar. Or you might live with a vague sense of drifting, hoping the waves are pushing you in the right direction. Or perhaps you’ve got a bucket list, a ten-year plan, five-year goals, and the outline for how you’ll get there.

Okay, good for you. But I’m not talking about a career or life goals. I’m talking about a deeper journey–the one your soul takes as you follow Christ. Because at the outset, I do...

What Is My Purpose?

“What am I supposed to do?”

That’s the question of every student facing a new school assignment, of every first-time parent as they stare at the fully dependent little creature in their arms, of every graduate choosing a college or career path, and, certainly, of every Christ-follower who wants to do more than warm a seat on Sunday morning.

 What do I do?

Built-in Questions

We’re action-oriented beings, and boredom, lack of direction, and indefinite waiting are often felt to be our ...

Am I Willing to Die?

It’s what makes a hero. A saint. A world-record holder. 
It’s the characteristic of the unstoppable. The obedient. The overcomer.
It’s at the core of Jesus’ love. His life. His example.

It is this: a willingness to die.

In case you haven’t guessed, I’m reading missionary biographies again. Even though I can claim the overly-exalted title of missionary myself, I still (especially?) need a good wake-up call–a challenge and inspiration to dig deeper in my faith and ask those authentically pier...

One Thousand Dishes – A Call to Radical Gratitude

Yesterday, I washed the dishes. Exciting, I know. How many times in my life have I washed the dishes? It’s impossible to count. How many times over the past 7.5 years in Thailand have I washed those same dishes (and by hand, nonetheless, because we don’t have dishwashers here)? One thousand times? Quite possibly.

As I rinsed the suds off those all-too-familiar plates yesterday, I asked God a simple, but poignant question: “What do I need to do to find contentment in this season of questions ...

Persistent Faith in the Waiting

I’ve struggled to write lately. Not because I don’t have words or ideas. But maybe because now that I finally have time to write I’m not sure where to start. Or maybe because we’re in the climax of our adoption journey–our son’s face on my screen, his name in my heart–just waiting for the pronouncement that we can finally go meet him. And maybe, probably, because all my words are tangled up in the angst of the waiting.

I’ve known for some time, however, that I need to tell you about the jour...

The Lord is My Trail Guide: Psalm 23 for the Wilderness Traveler

Lord, my companion and guide through life’s mountains and valleys, you have everything packed and prepared.

You invite me to follow you on narrow trails, but around every corner, there’s a glassy-smooth lake.

We sit there. We talk. You open your pack and we eat.

Refreshed, I’m ready to carry on.

The next leg of the journey is rocky. Frightening and dark. Storm clouds brew and sheer cliffs threaten on both sides.

But I’m tethered to you, and you won’t let go–no matter what hap...

The Feast of Sukkot and the God who Tabernacles with Us

As I write this, it is the 2nd day of the week-long biblical Feast of Sukkot. You may have also heard of it as the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths. Last night, at its beginning, the moon gleamed full and bright, illuminating the angel-wing like clouds around it. I haven’t seen the unveiled brightness of the moon like that for months. Partly because it’s still rainy season here in Thailand with heavy cloud cover most days, but also partly because I haven’t been outside much–both physically and s...

The Day I Drank Urine (and other shameful things)

Let me tell this story in reverse. Somewhere around midnight, my daughter squeezed into bed between me and my husband in my parents’ camping cabin. She just couldn’t sleep in her bunk. I got tired of balancing on the edge of the mattress, so I decided to move to her empty bed. 

Where I found a large wet spot in the middle.

Since she was still awake I asked, “Honey, did you wet the bed?”

She shook her head adamantly.

“Um, then why does it smell like pee?” My mommy-detective skills we...

Summer of the Soul + My Top Ten Summer Pics

Writing about a summer of the soul feels a bit tender for me right now, coming on the heels of leaving behind our actual summer vacation with family to return to a life of living abroad. But, I suppose it’s good, seeing how I often encourage reflection for spiritual growth–pausing to note where we’ve come from, what we’ve gained or lost along the way, and what direction we’re headed.

In light of that thought, I’ll share a few summer’s joys with you by photograph at the end of this post, so k...

How to Plant Well in a Spiritual Spring

I hadn’t even known I was in winter. I was producing a lot — Sunday School lessons, women’s ministry events, missionary newsletters, not to mention three meals a day for my family — so how could my soul possibly be frozen? Then, a shift. A wake-up call. A crack in the ice that told me my heart was nearing a change. In Alaska, they call this breakup. The thick river ice, once a highway for snowmobiles, literally breaks up and flips completely over to begin its journey to the ocean. It’s the offi...