I wish you could sit with me for one day and read the emails that come to my inbox. Some rip my heart out. Such was the case with the one I’m going to share with you today. This dear sister has graciously granted me permission to share it. This blog is a bit long, but I really want you to to get it. Read more…
Let Go and Take Hold
Have you ever watched a performer on a flying trapeze under the massive circus tent? A short horizontal bar suspended by ropes or metal straps dangles high above the crowd. The aerialist grabs the trapeze bar, jumps off of a high platform, and swings through the air.
She swings out once, swings back in above the platform, and swings out again. Read more…
Living Free
I’ve been pondering this verse today: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1 NIV).
Most likely you can’t relate to being a slave, but maybe you can relate to the idea of being held captive in some area of your life. Read more…
When You Feel You’ve Ceased to Matter
For over a decade we were joined at the hip. Not a day went by when we didn’t talk on the phone…at least once.
But sometimes friendships come unhinged.
People change. Perspectives change. Purposes change. Passions change.
While nothing went terribly wrong, and no hurtful words were exchanged, the void was vast beyond bridging. Read more…
What You Miss When You Don’t Forgive
One last wish.
The longing of a dying mother’s heart.
A wish that only one person could have satisfied. But he didn’t.
If you’ve read any of my books, you know that my childhood was a cauldron of violent arguments, alcohol induced rage, and physically terrifying fights. As a child I saw things that a child should never see and heard things that a child should never hear. Read more…
It’s Not How You Start. It’s How You Finish
I sat by her bed.
Her hand swollen…full…unmoving.
Feet that danced just a few weeks ago now stilled.
Arms that lifted just a short time ago now limp.
Words that spilled easily just a moment ago now haulted.
How could life seep away so quickly, right before my eyes?
Mom was ready. Read more…
What To Do When Your Rooster Crows
I sat on my back porch, wrapped in my fuzzy worn robe—the one that’s twenty years old that I just can’t seem to get rid of.
The birch trees waved “good morning,” and the newly planted gerbera daisies stretched their faces to the sun…just a bit higher than the day before.
Then I heard him. The rooster. Read more…
Have You Left the Wrong Path Wide Open?
Last Sunday my pastor had to do some housekeepin’ fussin’ at our congregation before he started his sermon. It was a “Visitors, close your ears” moment as Jimmy interrupted the service for an important message from our neighbors.
See, right beside our church property is a City Park. On Sundays, when our parking lot is full, we tend to use the City Park lot for our overflow parking. Read more…
News Flash! The War is Over!
I sat with my first cup of coffee on Saturday morning, reading the Living Section of the newspaper.
Steve, a non-coffee-drinker, read the editorial page.
He stopped to read an article out loud. It is a common practice between us. Even though we know the other will read it eventually, when something stirs us, Read more…
Do You Believe You are Who God Says You Are?
We all have defining moments in our lives.
The most important one is when we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.
I became a Christian when I was a teenager, but it would be many, many years before I stopped living like a spiritual pauper and started living like a child of the King. I wonder if you can relate? Read more…