My personal tradition calls for a visit to the cemetery during Easter weekend. Somehow, the credibility of the resurrection needs to meet with the mortality of my ancestors. It is a Mennonite cemetery, on the same acre of land as the old hand-built church, crafted by men who wore beards and black hats. Many of …
I welcome author Shanna Groves as a guest blogger for this post. Check out Shanna’s own blog at LipreadingMom.com One of the things I love about Rebecca is her steadfast faith. As we shared a table at a coffee shop and discussed her editing my first book four years ago, Rebecca offered a fundamental truth …
Whether it’s unemployment, Alzheimer’s or a personal tragedy – all of us face moments when life unravels. When our carefully controlled spheres no longer make sense and nothing we do can change the circumstances. How do we deal with life when it unravels? Psalm 43 gives us three action points. Focus on God; not the …
After an unexpected trip to the emergency room, we returned home, weary but grateful. “I’m glad you’re okay, Mom,” my son said as he hurried off to work. “Me, too. Thanks for helping me.” The symptoms of GERD often mirror the symptoms of a heart attack, so my doctor has told me, “Always get it …
Anyone who knows me well understands why it is important for me to face the western sky at the end of the day. I thrive on the colors and textures of sunsets. One of the first things I want to do when I get to heaven is watch how God paints a different sunset every …
Since Mom moved to the assisted living facility, I travel to Oklahoma more often than before. Each time, it’s an adventure in praying for the car to make it, treating myself to a hot chai and hoping that gas prices don’t go up again. But each time, it’s also an opportunity to worship God for …
Today I welcome guest blogger Karen Morerod to my site. Karen has her own blog at www.karenmorerod.wordpress.com where she writes about faith 24/7. Unraveling. What’s falling apart in your life right now? Is it coming apart thread by thread? Or is it more like a quick, fast rip that’s left a huge hole? Maybe it …
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. Another one …
I didn’t get the tree, even though I prayed hard and believed it would be mine. Several years ago, I participated in one of those home tours where beautiful and historic houses are decorated by members of the Junior Service League as a fund-raising activity. One of the houses sent me into covet mode. From …
Last Christmas, I drove to Oklahoma to visit my relatives and celebrate the holiday. At a rest stop, I filled up my mug with chai tea, then stretched my legs and browsed through the gift shop. On a swivel display, several colorful magnets stood out – one in particular. It was a pansy, the purple …