Silence Is Golden
I had a moment today. Just a moment. Isn't it so that when you declare an intention, and you're hoping the words might draw you and those within earshot closer to God, Satan takes notice. "You think you will___________? Well, how about if I____________!" Yeah, he did that, Picked up on my declaration that the cusp of Advent is the perfect time...
Singing Praises for Susie Finkbeiner’s ‘A Song of Home’ and Offering You a Free Copy
When you read a really good, compelling book, don't you sometimes come away wanting more? Do you wish you could learn what happened after the final chapter, the last sentence? I felt that way when I finished Susie Finkbeiner's first book, A Cup of Dust, and again as I read A Trail of Crumbs. I'm grateful to Susie for giving us "the rest of the...
How Making a Home Can Be Your Unmaking and Being Locked Out Can Mess with Your Plans
November has never been my favorite month. Watching helplessly as the beauty of fall is stripped away by rain and short days and cold nights can be downright depressing. The only bright spot in November is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has always been my holiday. My brother gets Christmas, my parents used to have Easter so I took...
Lessons From a Slice of Life Story: How To Live Well in Exile
I read the Book of Jeremiah over the past year from the paraphrase The Message by Eugene Peterson alongside Peterson's book Run with the Horses, an excellent tool for gleaning truths from the life of the prophet. Sharing a "slice of life" story from Jeremiah seems like a good place to end 31 Days of Writing Story. (Read the entire series...
Where Did You Find Your First Stories?
At the beginning of October, I participated in the Breathe Christian Writers Conference in Grand Rapids and was honored to share "Morning Words" with other writers. Today and tomorrow, I'm sharing with you parts of that message. A story from my message was featured here earlier this month and it's featured on the Breathe blog today. Drop by...
Faint-Heart, What Got Into You?
Peter walked on water. And then he didn't. It's an oft-told story, even by some not familiar with scripture. A storm was raging. The disciples saw Jesus walking across the lake and thought he was a ghost. They cried out in fear. Hear this story from The Message, Matthew 14: Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against...
Diverse Female Voices Bring Light To The World
Story-tellers, every one of them. These 140+ women who make up Redbud Writers Guild have become "my people" in the 18 months I've been part of the clan. They're women from across the country and around the world, with varying degrees of education and experience, of all ages and many different ethnic groups who worship in various faith...
Worked Over By the Breath and Touch of God
I'm in Kansas today (figuratively), dropping by the blog of Christina Hubbard to share a few words of encouragement for creatives. Please visit my friend's beautiful website Creative and Free. In the meantime, I'm not leaving you here alone. It is pure joy to welcome my friend Sarah Rennicke to the blog. I met Sarah last spring when we shared...
Offering You A Few Good Stories, Well-Told — What Could Be Better?
I cannot write about the life-changing power of story without telling you about stories that have changed my life. I consider myself a bibliophile and though I know many people who read more widely, deeply and voraciously than myself, I claim a profound love for books. The photo at left is just one tiny corner of what you'll find if you come...
6 Steps To Prepare for Telling Your Faith Story
Recently, I gave you a slant* telling of my personal testimony. It was a safe version without too many details, but enough for you to know I am a sinner, saved by grace. If you are a follower of Christ, perhaps your most important life story is the one in which you encountered Jesus and came away changed. It's that way for me. And, while I...