Over the last few weeks, I have been digging into the Beatitudes—those written steps that lead into the Sermon on the Mount. Somewhere, I’ve heard them referred to as Beautiful Attitudes. I like that moniker. But I also think they give us some clues into how attitudes lead into behaviors. Perhaps my recent study comes […]
Finding the Hope in Attitudes Read More »
As the daughter of parents who struggled with the challenges of dementia, I am always on the lookout for brain matter. That is, info on how to keep the brain healthy and functioning until I step into eternity. I already know about nutrition and the importance of avoiding anything that leads to brain fog. Unfortunately,
Hope in the Magnificent Mind Read More »
She is often used as a scapegoat in biblical discussions, but I totally get where she’s coming from. Sarai, devoted wife of Abram, who wanted more than anything to bless her husband with a child. But she was barren for the majority of her life. Month after month, year after year, they prayed for a
Hope in the Unanswered Read More »
On Friday nights, I finish in my office, shut the door, and find a good movie to watch. It helps me deprogram from the week and escape into either a good biography, a drama, or sometimes — even one of those predictable Hallmark movies. One Friday, I happened upon a movie I had never seen
Hope Preceded by Perseverance Read More »
As a life coach going through the certification process, I learned about the power of open-ended questions. If we ask the right questions, people will often figure out the source of the problem. They may even come up with the best solution all by themselves. In the past with various religious experiences, we were told
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During a recent trip to New Mexico and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, we searched for deer. Every time someone in the family saw a deer, we cheered. We called to them, hoping to pet them or maybe feed them some leftover crackers. The deer are a special fixture in the mountains, a cherished part
Hope’s Perspective Read More »
As we celebrate the Fourth of July and the freedoms of the United States of America, we also reflect on the personal freedoms we have grown to appreciate. The practice of freedom changes during the various demographics of life. As children, our freedoms are decided for us by adults who are supposed to be wiser
Freedom While Aging Read More »
Someone recently asked me, “What do you do to find rest?” My oxymoron reply, “I have to intentionally work to find rest.” Except for the times when life throws me in bed with an illness or unresolved grief, I have to plan for rest. My strong work ethic was forged on the family farm where
Hope Searches for Rest Read More »
Words pour out of me—a torrent of expression and emotion. Stories, articles, journal rantings, blog posts. Revisions three or four times, then a sending of the results to editors, publishers, agents. This writing is how I process grief. How I find my way through the valley and back to life. Future joy is hidden within
In her best-selling book, Moving On, Sarah Ban Breathnach lists the seven senses. The usual five we know: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. But then she adds Knowledge and Wonder. Knowledge is self-explanatory, except when we experience that special knowing based on intuition and spiritual electricity. A working definition of ‘wonder’ is “Surprise mingled