Invitation To A Feast: Bible Studies That Study the Bible
Recently, a handful of women from my church joined me in reading and discussing Lysa TerKeurst's book "The Best Yes". Though our numbers dwindled over the six weeks we met, those of us who remained at the end agreed that our time together had been well-spent. TerKeurst is a New York Times best-selling author and president of Proverbs 31...
When Faiths Collide: Finding Myself in Ash Wednesday
I stood in line for the symbolic smudge of ashes on the first day of Lent, unprepared for what that touch to my forehead would to do my heart. In the glow of candlelight, tears spilled unbidden. And there she was again, standing at the altar. Skinny, smiling shyly as she posed in her white communion dress, mousy brown hair peaking from beneath...
Trusting God for the Outcome: A Mother’s Prayers
I've been reminded that a mother is only as happy as her happiest child. We'd rather experience illness or unhappiness ourselves than to see our children struggle. I'm learning to trust God has a plan as we walk alongside our son in his battle with anxiety, panic and depersonalization. I share this very personal story on my friend Amelia...
5 Things I Learned While Going 7 Days Without Facebook
Still wide awake at 12:30 a.m. today, I rolled out of bed and did what I've done on many other sleepless nights. I grabbed my phone to check in with Facebook -- for the first time in 7 days. A week ago, inspired by a book I'm reading and challenged by my blogging friend Plaidfuzz, I decided to give myself a one week break from...
Mary Richards, Joyce Smith and Me
If I'd owned a blue beret, I would have tossed it in the air. I was a fledgling news reporter in the early 1970s and Mary Richards was my inspiration, my role model. When all you've ever wanted is to be a journalist, seeing a young woman succeed in the news business -- even in a fictional television sitcom -- was affirmation. "You're gonna...
Gather Your Team and Make a ‘Family’
"Thank you for being on my team." Words from my friend bear witness to this friendship we're nurturing, to the time we've spent catching up over tea, in prayer, studying God's word. The times we've carried one another's burdens, rejoiced over each other's victories. "Gather your team" we'd heard the speaker say. This wise woman at the...
Pray A to Z: Purposeful Prayer in the New Year and a Book Give-Away
It's a new year and because I love fresh starts, I've been known to make a resolution or two. (I won't share the statistics on my success at keeping them.) Recently, our pastor challenged us to make commitments instead of resolutions -- more importantly, to commit to God an action, attitude, habit or sacrifice that we're willing to take up in...
What Epiphany Looks Like in the Hard-Scrabble Brokenness of Our Everyday
This Christmas season was going to be different. I entered Advent with a spirit of hope and good intentions, expecting it to carry me to January 6, to Epiphany. Candles would remain lit, trees with twinkling lights would hold their places in our home, and the beautiful Advent readings would keep us focused on the celebration of the birth of...
Winter Means Counting Down the Blessings
"I look like a little boy," Dad grumbles. He pulls the stocking cap down over his ears and eyebrows. "I never wear hats like this. Maybe you do, but I don't." Dad gives me an accusing look. "Where's your hat." It's blustery outside, it's his birthday and he has an appointment with the dentist. I've brought the hat, some warm gloves and a new...
In the Rush to Christmas, Slow Down for Advent
When our boys were young, the countdown to Christmas involved a festive green cloth calendar with pockets, one for each of 25 days until Christmas. A tiny grey mouse was moved from one pocket to the next as he made his way through the weeks leading up to our sons’ favorite holiday. Each day, a different boy took a turn at jumping the mouse...
