Blog Posts

Sometimes small things can make a big difference. Years ago, there was a sermon preached on a sensitive passage. Devote Christians interpret the passage differently, generally falling into two distinct camps. I was a member of the other camp. (That was a known fact.) Though it certainly wasn’t a personal attack, I was devastated. Much…

Life can be overwhelming. Sometimes the Lord gives us what feels like way more than we can handle. Recently I found myself dealing with an elderly mother-in-law in palliative care, a mentally ill family member refusing needed treatment for a physical problem, and an emotionally challenged member struggling with consequences – some from her decisions…

“No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.” (John 15:13, Amplified Bible) You gave me the greatest gift ever given, a gift of incalculable value at an unimaginable cost. When I try to imagine the price all within me recoils at the thought: the excruciating pain, the…

“I don’t deserve this,” I prayed. I sighed with quiet frustration. I know I’m a sinner; I don’t “deserve” anything good. But I still felt frustrated. For years I had made time to support an ill family member. She often acknowledged my help with a “thank you,” but there were many difficult and frustrating times.…

Sometimes when a family member or close friend has a need we find ourselves wishing we could fill the need: Their furnace had died, a storm ripped off a section of their roof and the next tuition payment was due. Ugh!! How I longed to step in and fill at least one of the needs.…

Ever wish you could age like your dog? As Mandy (now close to eleven – seventy-seven in “people years”) grows older, we can’t help but notice her slightly swayed back, the grey hairs in her otherwise black and tan muzzle and the sagging tummy. Her days of chewing on forbidden things have past. But Mandy…

At the beginning of a New Year many of us do two things: take time to review last year (and clean-out the files!), and identify this year’s goal. Having determined the goal, I began cleaning and organizing my office. I found a card advertising a conference. The card was four years old! The conference, an…

“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding….” (Proverbs 3:5, Amplified Bible) Late September. Chilly. Pouring rain. The season is changing from the heat of Summer to the chill of Autumn. I’m not a fan of hot and humid; I’m not…

“…inquire of God, that we may know ….” (Judges 18:5, New King James Version) Lydia and Steve are church friends. With her bright red hair, big smile and warm, outgoing personality I was surprised – and thankful! – to learn that she’s an engineer and a “computer person.” When she says “call me anytime” she…

“…there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.”(Proverbs 18:24b, Amplified Bible) “This doesn’t feel like exercise, does it?” the fit, perky blond asked. She wore a yellow top with her black exercise pants. The class, a group of trim women of varies ages, heights, and builds, all wore…