#posts 19
7 Foods
I and about 27 friends decided to launch our own "experimental mutiny against excess," doing each of Jen Hatmaker's 7 fasts for 7 days (instead of a month as she did). Each week I'll post my thoughts from the previous week, Jen-style, not because I'm trying...
Why I Can't Say "Retail Therapy"
If I were a real and devoted blogger, I could probably expect some backlash from this post. As I am just a sometimes blogger with a small following of people, 90% of whom won't read this, I'm not too concerned about that. I also think that even if I had a...
Happy Mothers' Day
As I reflect on the privilege and honor of being a mom, many thoughts and emotions race in my mind and well up in my heart. Chief among them: There is no such thing as a perfect mom, so motherhood comes with lots of questioning, second guessing, guilt, and...
Pondering Paul
I just wrapped up a study a friend and I have been doing for the past few months on the Apostle Paul. I have long found him a fascinating and admirable biblical character, but I feel he has come to life for me in some new ways. This well-educated, intelligent,...
Why We Cre8
I never thought answering the conversational question, "So, where do you go to church?" would be so awkward. It used to be that I would name my church, reciprocate the question, and immediately the other person and I would form our snap judgments about each...
The World Revolves Around What?
Have you ever thought about the terminology we use for the sun? As a homeschool mom, I am asked to explain every word that comes out of my mouth, and that can get pretty interesting when little ones first start to understand how the solar system works.Why...
"Together in Christ"
I don't write much poetry these days. In fact, I can't remember the last time I made up more than a couple of silly lines for my children (and those weren't written down) before April of 2013. Amazingly (to me, anyway), I was inspired to write two poems in...
Breaking the Chains: Insecurity
My 3-year-old is playing a game on my iPad, and his brothers have come to watch. "I'm good at this game!" he announces confidently. With barely a pause between, the next words out of his mouth are a question: "Am I good at this game?"Lately he likes to assert...
Simple Prayer of Wonder & Gratitude
Reconciliation would have been more than enough.We who were far away have been brought near. The door that was closed has been opened. You who could not tolerate us can now bring us in because we've been washed clean of our sin. That would have been more than...
Breaking the Chains: Disappointment
Today is my birthday, and I have decided to live as if no one is disappointed in me -- not God, not my parents, not my husband, not my children, not my friends, not my extended family or in-laws, not my businesses associates. After 36 years, I am finally realizing...
A Year in the Life
I didn't send out Christmas cards or write a Christmas newsletter for 2012. I vacillated between feeling liberated from spending the time and money required to send out a few hundred holiday greetings and feeling guilty for not participating in a tradition...
Advice: Who Needs It?
Is it just me, or does the tendency not to want to take advice from others start way too young?I have always struggled to take constructive criticism, advice, or counsel well. I immediately become self-defensive and start justifying myself, blame-shifting,...
A Blossom of Hope
The beginning seedlingsI'm sitting by my sliding glass doors looking over the back deck that is covered with evidence of my husband's first attempts at creating a container garden of organic vegetables and herbs. He started small, but he has still worked...
Helper, Counselor, and Puddle Jumper
I have battled with a lifelong fear of the water. I don't know where it originated, unless such a thing can be passed down genetically. My big brothers were great swimmers and tried to help me. My parents wanted me to learn to swim and put me in summer swimming...
Overwhelmed
"Take a day off? I don't even take a morning off.""I haven't ordered dessert in two years.""You know that best-selling book everyone loves? I haven't read it.""I haven't watched TV since last summer. Hey, I've been busy."(stated by Olympic athletes on a commercial)I...