I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane

If all’s well with my technology, I should be flying across the U.S. when this is posted. I’m off to Indianapolis, Indiana for the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference. I whined about being fearful in Monday’s blog. I’ve been working through a new Bible study with some of the sweet ladies in my church–Jonah by Priscilla Shirer. Was I …

Stepping Up and Stepping Out

Have you ever had to do something you really didn’t want to, but knew you had to? It seems to be the theme around our house of late. God calling us to step out of our comfort zones and walk in obedience to Him. I won’t go into my husband’s story—that’s his to tell. For me, it’s flying across the …

What Do You Fear?

Generally, when I get up in the morning, the first thing I do (after downing my vitamins and collecting the coffee my husband’s brewed for me) is sit down with my Bible. For reasons I can’t name, today was different. I woke with anxiety in my heart and said a prayer for our country before my eyes were even open. …

When Contentment Isn’t Enough

  “Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are never content.” Ecclesiastes 1:8 Contentment. The dictionary defines it as 1. Mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are, and 2. Assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed plan of action, etc. I’ve …

You Are Fearfully Made

  1n 1977, singer Debbie Boone recorded the song “You Light Up My Life” which spent a then record of ten weeks as no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. I was fifteen when this song came out and, at the time, I was surprised to learn that her intended focus—her You—was God. It was the first pop Christian …

Lessons Learned

Ever have one of those days (or, several days) you feel God’s testing you? Your patience, perseverance, temperament? When everything’s going well, I find it easy to hold onto the peace God promises. But then, who wouldn’t? It’s when life doesn’t go according to my plan, that it gets a little more challenging. I’m not even talking world-changing events here—just …

Lee Daniel’s The Butler

  It’s rare these days to find a movie worth its ticket price. The reviews alone are enough to make me shake my head in disgust. Maybe I’m pickier than some, but I’d rather spend my time (and money) on worthier causes than supporting the often sophomoric productions put out by the movie industry. So when one comes along that …

The Big Three

  Romans 3:10 says, “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one.’” I know I’m a sinner, but it’s not something I like to talk about. Who does? I blow it often enough that I don’t question the truth of it. However, there are times when I feel compelled (by the Holy Spirit, I’m sure) to take …

A Dog’s Life

When I was about twelve, I was wandering around Union Square in San Francisco. My mother worked in the city, and my siblings and I would often take the bus in mid-day, have lunch with her and hang out until she got off of work. Obviously, that was a long time ago, as any mother in her right mind today …

Divine Alignment

Ever have one of those day where nothing seems to go as planned? And of course, those times occur when I have more on my plate than I can reasonably finish. I find that when those times occur, it’s more about my attitude than anything else. Yesterday was such a day. Although I started out with some time alone with …