Words of Hope: An Admirable Faith

Shann and I have an elegant conversation every evening. We sit together looking out a window or sitting on a porch. We hold hands and start with gratitude for each other. One of the conversations I often initiate with...

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Eternal Joy

I recently visited Oklahoma to support my daughter Ari who was playing Margo in Bright Star the musical. While I was there, I sat in a chair my dad had sat in five years earlier. We rented the same Airbnb from...

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Words of Hope: Energy Crisis

Dad and I often discussed energy. Navigating cancer requires tremendous energy expenditures, which results in less energy for other aspects of life. I would email Dad sometimes and he would respond, “Beloved daughter, I want to have energy for...

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Words of Hope: Dangerous Tendencies

Dad wanted to be wise about tendencies to make the wrong response in crisis. He believed becoming wise about how we handle stress and crisis is an important consideration, especially if there is trauma in the family history. Dad...

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Words of Hope: Accused and Accuser

Jesus always touches me. I am reading about His interaction with the Pharisees and the woman caught in adultery. He takes a woman who had done wrong. She was morally guilty, and He showed her forgiveness. He takes a...

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Words of Hope: Never Outwitted

I have been mulling over a scripture verse for the last two weeks. It says, “I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware...

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Words of Hope: The Danger of Must

I recently wrote a piece about Dad being an amazing culture changer and described with intensity a father who neglects his daughter and a mother who criticizes hers. My husband Shann and I talk about Words of Hope in...

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Words of Hope: Culture Changer

Dad was a culture changer. He envisioned a home with a true loving, present father who asked forgiveness of his children and encouraged dialogue even if there was disagreement. Not many homes have this. I meet so many people...

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Words of Hope: Skilled Parents

Parenting is hard.   What makes matters worse is that people often don’t work to figure out how to be skilled as a parent. Much like the terrible shooter who continues to shoot though they haven’t a prayer, an untrained parent...

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Words of Hope: Speed Friendship

Our family has a fun mealtime activity called "Speed Friendship."   We ask a question and quickly find out more about whoever is at the table.   Examples of questions we might ask are:  · Favorite color...

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