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Quintiles of Life
I am currently in a Bible study that is reflecting on what God is doing in our journey on earth.
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The Outcome of Unity
At the NBC Camps Christmas party, we took red and white pipe cleaners and wound them together to make a candy cane.
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Marian Point of View
I am struck by the obedience and willingness of Mary to become the mother of Jesus. Her song of gratitude to God for this blessing stuns me.
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Which Side?
The word challenge originally meant to accuse. Have you ever been accused? I think about Christ standing on trial. Witnesses attempted to bring accusations against Him, but they kept contradicting their testimony.
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Joy Is a Precious Christmas Gift
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth – Proverbs 15:23 This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of…
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Reaching for Comfort
My husband Shann and I watched a touching movie about addiction called, “The Year of the Dog.” It speaks to how addictions enter our lives through our wounds and traumas often as a tool to cope with pain.…
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Recognize the Value of Appreciation
“The ability to appreciate is a learned behavior. Mastery of this skill of seeing the full worth in people, in creation and all life is the difference between being a positive or a negative human being.” Fred Crowell…
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Take the Lead
My dad understood the importance of initiative. In Latin, initiative means to take the lead. We talked about initiative often.
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A Pattern of Great Parenting
Dad and I often discussed healthy relationships, especially between a father and sons or daughters. I don’t think many parents talk this way with their children.
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Practice Gratitude
“As medicine is to the body, gratitude is to the soul.” For the past six months, Words of Hope with Fred Crowell has been a source of joy and thanksgiving to me.
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The Miracle of Hope
I have been praying about a few life situations for a long time. It’s easy to begin to feel discouraged because there remains no answer.
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How to Live in a Broken World
It is a serious thing Just to be alive On this fresh morning In the broken world This poem by Mary Oliver brings me back to my center. What is required of me?
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It’s Only You
When life gets so hard, we seem to be in a place we cannot describe. In fact, we do want other people, but it seems to be ONLY YOU. Please let me explain.
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The First Habit of Atomic Love
The first habit needed to live from a place of abiding love for others is to sincerely seek God. This is the filling station. It is the source for this love to arrive and overflow.
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Atomic Relational Habits
I love James Clear’s work on “atomic habits,” and his research on how to make long lasting changes. Dad naturally understood how to build tiny daily habits that accrue over time. He lived this with his parenting.
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Terminal Anxiety
The apostle Paul encouraged us not to be anxious about anything. Unfortunately, too few people take his admonition seriously or take the time to learn the skill mastery to defeat this common enemy.
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Listening for the Truth
One of the greatest gifts my dad had as a father was his insistence on total relational transparency regarding emotions. He wanted a home where truth reigned.
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Invisible Cathedrals
As my husband Shann and I meet with Goldenwood, this unique community not only prayerfully considers gifting but more powerful considerations.
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America the Lady
America has been portrayed as a lady—a lady of grace and beauty from sea to shining sea, purple mountain’s majesty, amber waves of grain, among fruited plains.
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Missional Gifts
My husband Shann and I are part of a beautiful community of believers who participate in an organization called Goldenwood. This program is designed to realign work with love and deepest calling.
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Coming to the Table
One of our staff posted something on their social media which deeply grieved another staff member. This is always challenging. How do we handle our disagreements?
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Love Needs Hope to Exist
St. Paul wrote letters beautifully to his friends, especially after establishing Christian communities.
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A Sacred Moment
I opened my office drawer for a notecard and found the one I selected was already written on in my dad’s handwriting. It’s a card with a beautiful tree on the front.
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Great Challenge Paves the Way for a Great Encounter
One of my friends says a powerful prayer when something difficult or challenging happens in her life or in the lives of those she prays for.
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Desolation and the Hidden Realm
As my husband Shann and I read and pray through Hebrews every night, we are struck by the admonition to look to the invisible realm where Christ reigns, the hidden world beyond the material world.
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Healing Conversations
Dad and I had lovely conversations. He was a masterful listener and question-asker most of the time. When we had a spare moment, he might start by saying something he appreciated about my life.
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Hearing God’s Voice
Dad believed and lived that God was speaking to him. He prayed to attentively listen and hear what God was saying.
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A Time to Mourn
I am back writing Words of Hope for the remainder of the year. I took a lengthy break for several reasons. Mostly because I was sad. Grief is complex that way.
