“The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit — who can bear?” (Proverbs 18:14 TNIV). It only takes a few moments watching the news to understand why sadness is all around us. Wars, earthquakes, fires, shootings, missiles killing children, disease, death everywhere. Even for the eternal optimist, life can be heavy and […]
How to Endure Sadness Read More »
During the Romantic period of music composition and performance, the sustain (damper) pedal on the piano was used for special effects. Many composers, such as Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt regarded the sustain pedal as an essential element in their compositions. Today, the sustain pedal (on the far right) is used most often and taught first
How Music Illustrates Trusting God Read More »
For the next few weeks, I’ll be doing a blog series that follows my Bible study: Sustain Us Oh Lord: Finding Strength When Life is Hard. In June, I taught the study at my church, so thought I would follow up with blog posts. This study began when I realized the multitude of Bible verses
Finding Strength When Life is Hard Read More »
The feral mama in my neighborhood gathered her kittens as the Kansas wind increased. Storms were brewing. “Possibly severe,” the meteorologist warned. In Kansas, we take storms seriously. So did the feral mama, so her babies only needed to obey and follow her to the shelter she provided. Those kittens were carefully herded under a
Safe and Sheltered Read More »
Recently, I met a gentleman who has retired from working in the pharmaceutical industry. His role was to do the marketing for the companies that produce certain medicines and medicinal products. Still active even within retirement, he shared the two major tips all marketers need to pay attention to. They apply also to writers trying
Writers who are serious about publishing their work know the value of a critique group. A critique group involves writers of various genres who meet to discuss and give feedback. The goal is to produce the best polished work that is publisher-worthy and able to impact its readers. The best critique groups begin and end
The Value of Critique Read More »
Although the music and sounds of July Fourth are now four days in the past, I still like to focus on freedom—specifically the freedom where I spend most of my time—writing. It feels as if this freedom has always been part of our lives. One of the things we might take for granted. But only
The Freedom to Write Read More »
Throughout the years in multiple Bible studies and sermons, she has been pictured as the ‘not enough’ woman. Not enough faith. Not enough like her sister, Mary. Not enough commitment to stop everything and listen to Jesus teach. Yet, I like her. Martha. Legend says she was a wealthy widow, and it was her home
Applause for Martha Read More »
In multiple places of scripture, we find the directive, “Be Still.” Entire sermons can be written about what that means, but each of us needs to determine our own response. How can we personally ‘be still?’ First, consider the opposite. What does it mean to not be still? When we worry about a situation we
Finding God’s will for our lives. Doing what God wants us to do. Being all God created us to be. These phrases are often buzz words for sermons, Bible studies, or podcasts. They represent thoughts we pray for, seek to attain as true Jesus-followers. Often with the hope of pleasing God. We focus on purpose