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Occasional thoughts on faith and every day life in Michigan and overseas
Ruth's Reflections
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![Sleeping Bear Dunes 2020](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_66965597744044cbb30cadcdf1ab984d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_66965597744044cbb30cadcdf1ab984d~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Aug 23, 2020
Sleeping Bear Dunes 2020
Peterson Beach With What I Think Are Pitcher Thistles, a Threatened Species Native to Great Lakes Dunes “We have traveled this day / to...
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![The Spiritual Discipline of a Slow Spring](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_4c124159786c4a9b85d680e8bc12322a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_4c124159786c4a9b85d680e8bc12322a~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
May 2, 2020
The Spiritual Discipline of a Slow Spring
A couple of years ago, I arrived back in Beijing on about March 17. A few days later, I noticed that the lilac bushes in my apartment...
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![I’ll Hold On: A Song for Language Learning](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_273bf22f9ee3491c806221b4b0a97784~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_273bf22f9ee3491c806221b4b0a97784~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Mar 27, 2015
I’ll Hold On: A Song for Language Learning
Back in December, I learned about a new (to me) band called Eine Blume on the Velvet Ashes blog. Their newest album is called Farewell...
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![A Prayer for Reverent Language Learning](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_76f5c2c35d7b40af9228de109d3c12a8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_76f5c2c35d7b40af9228de109d3c12a8~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Oct 21, 2014
A Prayer for Reverent Language Learning
“Reverence may take all kinds of forms, depending on what it is that awakens awe in you by reminding you of your true size.” —An Altar in...
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![Vulnerability Is Trying To Unlock Someone Else’s Door](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_14c6e19efac146b3b3d1b6254ce4de91~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_14c6e19efac146b3b3d1b6254ce4de91~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Oct 8, 2014
Vulnerability Is Trying To Unlock Someone Else’s Door
When I was preparing to move, people kept telling me I’m really brave. I don’t think of myself as brave. I don’t feel brave. When I...
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![Sunday Prayer: Grief Is A Strong Word](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_60aabbaa8ba14449a1c9b7587600f83a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_60aabbaa8ba14449a1c9b7587600f83a~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Sep 14, 2014
Sunday Prayer: Grief Is A Strong Word
I was talking to a friend and apologized for the grief that my decision to go overseas is causing everyone. She said, “grief is a strong...
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![Sunday Prayer: On the Transition Bridge](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_fa84f1cf20314201961375d7e668e3ab~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_fa84f1cf20314201961375d7e668e3ab~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Aug 3, 2014
Sunday Prayer: On the Transition Bridge
Today’s prayer is inspired by the concept of the transition bridge and Psalm 46. You are my “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in...
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![Sunday Prayer: Breathe on Me](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_6b35c2b2b0b44bbda701905bff14d9d0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_6b35c2b2b0b44bbda701905bff14d9d0~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Jun 8, 2014
Sunday Prayer: Breathe on Me
Today, 50 days after Easter, the church celebrates Pentecost. We remember God sending the Holy Spirit to the disciples, the beginnings...
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![Sunday Prayer: When Things Are Foggy](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_8873359a648e409e8b98757c6490006f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_8873359a648e409e8b98757c6490006f~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Jun 1, 2014
Sunday Prayer: When Things Are Foggy
Faithful God, I’m waiting, wondering, hoping, working. When life seems foggy, and I can’t se through the haze, Help me to wait hopefully,...
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![Sunday Prayer: Sent to Make Peace](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_c892b0282d8f4e1eb1c374c612b33a3e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_c892b0282d8f4e1eb1c374c612b33a3e~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Apr 26, 2014
Sunday Prayer: Sent to Make Peace
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders,...
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![Sunday Prayer: Joy!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_f7eb296743a14c22be8ff5f7966af615~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_f7eb296743a14c22be8ff5f7966af615~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Apr 20, 2014
Sunday Prayer: Joy!
I don’t think I have ever been this ready to celebrate Easter. So much of the last 18 months of my life has been questions, longing,...
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![Sunday Prayer: To Pay Attention](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a8433c_ce9603d5cc7741e4979a3e97323abb49~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a8433c_ce9603d5cc7741e4979a3e97323abb49~mv2.webp)
ruthlemmen
Apr 13, 2014
Sunday Prayer: To Pay Attention
Writers pay attention; they notice things. This was one of my takeaways from Calvin College’s Festival of Faith and Writing. I want to...
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