One of the Christmas gifts I gave my son was a DVD of the movie, “The Monuments Men.” The movie wasn’t popular with the critics, but we thought it was great – inspirational, historical and cast with several quality actors. Besides the plot line and the suspense, the reason I enjoyed it so much was …
Throughout the years, I have received many beautiful Christmas cards. So…what to do with them after Christmas? Just pitch them while cleaning up all the decorations and torn wrappings? No way. Sometimes I frame cards. One framed card hangs in my office – a reminder to stay in JOY all through the year. But my …
Maybe the reason we’re stuck within this national tragedy is because we haven’t yet found the right apology. In their book, “The Five Languages of Apology,” Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas explore the differences between various apologies. Sometimes “I’m sorry” just isn’t enough because each of us comes to forgiveness via a different perspective. Express …
Thanks to the insights of some prayer warriors, I was recently confronted with an ugliness in my soul. A spirit of unforgiveness had settled within and kept me from living in joyful peace. After a time of confession and intense prayer, by God’s grace, I was able to release the pain that led to the …
As an author, I always hope my words will impact readers, but sometimes this goal reverses. Sometimes I find myself changed by another writer’s work. One of those writers for me is Anne Lamott. This week, I was thrilled to attend a presentation by Anne Lamott right here in Kansas City. Anne was, as I …
As we approach the holidays, this year draws to a close. What happened to move us so quickly through 2014? This week, I drove to an office supply store to buy a refill for my planner – new calendar pages for 2015. As I sorted and refilled my planner, I glanced back at the activities …
These days, I find myself with more questions than answers. Although still based in the original foundations of scripture and relationship, my faith is changing. No longer do I think in terms of black and white. In fact, I spend more time thinking and meditating than I do reciting the rules I grew up with. …
It is not an easy place to be – this no man’s land of unanswered prayers and constantly asked questions. For almost a year now, I have lived in a sort of limbo – questioning whether my role in life has somehow messed with my soul. It is not a question of what I do, …
Inside the birthday card from my mom was a check for twenty dollars. But as I read the card and looked at the check, I noticed something surprising and terrible. Almost immediately, I beat my fists on the kitchen counter and began to sob. Mom had tried to sign her name on the check, but …
On this blog, I have mentioned the importance of my deck. Because I love nature and the fresh beauty of the outdoors, my deck becomes a sanctuary – the place where I most often meet with God. On my deck, cardinals chirp a chorus from their beautiful repertoire. Blue jays squawk while squirrels run across …