In the past six months, areas of California, Oregon, Montana, and western Canada were consumed by flames. Houston was underwater, Idaho and Mexico experienced strong earthquakes, and North Korea tested nuclear bombs. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria devastated...
The Weight of Our Words
When Hurricane Irma blew through south Florida last September, we were fortunate not to sustain damage to our home. But the natural environment did not fare as well. Trees toppled all around us. Hurricane force winds snapped off branches and uprooted trees. Root balls...
Queering God?
Just when I think our culture can’t shock me any more than it has… it does. When you consider God's character - the character of the God of the Bible, which of these descriptions come closest to your belief? God is the supreme creator of the universe. He’s one god...
Supporting Life
Our society is critical of hypocrites in general, and especially judgmental of perceived hypocrisy within the Christian community. Yet, consider the double standards espoused by our culture. And no where are they more obvious than in the area of protecting life. Think...
New Year, Clean Slate
We’re almost two weeks into the new year. In many ways, there’s nothing new about it, other than changing the year when we write the date. (Anyone beside me becoming adept at converting a seven into an eight?) If 2018 is feeling more like “same old, same old,” why all...
My One Word: Hope Leads to Gratitude
A new word for a new year. A word I knew—last September—would be my focus for 2018. Last year, my One Word was hope. Holding on to hope carried me through a difficult period. Hope held fear at bay when hubby was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Hope carried me—and...
How Are You Spending the Week Between Years?
This is an odd week. No business meetings. No school. No medical appointments. No expectancy. Christmas is past, the new year not yet arrived. A week of suspended activity. But it’s just another week, isn’t it? Another seven days like any other seven days? Yet it’s...
Do Your Traditions Affirm or Distract?
Have you ever practiced a tradition without knowing why or how it started? Does it matter? One friend celebrates half-birthdays in her family. Another organizes an egg hunt every Easter for the children in her family. Still another friend serves pizza for dinner every...
Christmas and the Hearts of Kings…and Presidents
Are you unhappy with our current president? Perhaps you didn’t like the president before him. Complaints about political leaders have existed about as long as nations have had rulers. Still, how we express our dissatisfaction says much about our worldview…and our view...
Praying for Peace When Others Pray for War
What’s the point of praying for peace when your adversary is dead-set (no pun intended) on war? As the weeks of December move us toward Christmas, many Christians recognize Advent themes that traditionally include hope, peace, joy, and love. Last week, I wrote about...
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