On a shelf in my living room sits a black-and-white photograph of a young girl taken in the early 1900s. Her hair is pulled back with an oversized bow peeking from behind the edges of her head. Her dress is typical of the times, with puffed sleeves and a brimming lace collar resting on her shoulders. She isn’t smiling, and she appears to be somewhat awkward, Read more…
One 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…
There it was.
Carved in wood.
The evidence could not be denied.
Anna dropped her kids off at school and then went home to clean up a bit. She removed a hairbrush, school papers and yesterday’s jewelry from her dresser. And there it was. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
A nail. And a name. L-i-l-l-i-a-n … carved into the top of her dresser’s walnut surface.
Seven-year-old L-i-l-l-i-a-n hadn’t even bothered to hide the weapon used to commit the crime. The nail lay just where she had left it. Right on the dresser by her name.
I don’t know about you, but my email box has been running over with holiday “stuff.” So I’ve been quiet lately to give you a break! But I did want to share what I’m posting over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today. I pray it will be a reminder to be thankful for your “But God” story.
Much love, Read more…
I just love Thanksgiving! It is my favorite time of year. A time to remember all that we have to be thankful for!
But what about the times when we just don’t feel very thankful. When the job stinks or the kids get on that last nerve. When we’ve got too much to do and not enough me to do it. Read more…
Have you ever gone through a period of discouragement? Perhaps you’re in one right now. Believe me, I’ve been right there with you. I’ve hidden in the cave with Elijah, under the gourd plant with Jonah, and in the dessert with Moses.
Discouragement comes when there is a gap between what you expect and what you experience—when there is a gap between what you hoped would happen and what actually does happen. Read more…
Today I’ve invited my friend, Kelly Balarie, to the kitchen table. Kelly is one of those spiritual cheerleaders…the kind that encourage you to never give up! She’s written a passel of articles and some great books, but the truth is, she’s just like you and me. She’s had some tough times, and now she loves to share about how to be battle ready and victorious through it all. Read more…
Father’s Day is June 17. For some that is a wonderful day. For others it is a weary day. No matter what your experience has been with your earthly father, know this…you have a daddy who loves you.
When I was a little girl, my father spent most of his waking hours working at his building supply company, Read more…
Have you ever had times when you felt like you just couldn’t hear from God? To tell you the truth, I don’t know of anyone who hasn’t. Today I’m sharing over at Proverbs 31 Ministries about that very thing. I thought it might encourage you too. Let me know if it does. Be sure to check out the freebies at the end. Read more…
Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back once in a while! Yesterday I had a devotion over at Proverbs 31 Ministries. I thought you might enjoy it too.
It was a long day with a longer to-do list. I was chipping away at it but running out of emotional and physical steam. Read more…