A friend recently had successful cancer surgery. When she joyfully announced the results, the responses were positive and predictable: God is good! God truly answers prayer! God really loves you! God is an awesome God! We rejoiced in her prognosis because we...
One of my favorite memories is that of my mother reading to me from a book of fairy tales. Cinderella, Ali Baba, Sleeping Beauty, and other characters came to life through the sound of her voice. As I listened to their adventures, each character seemed as real as any...
Many of us can remember chanting the childhood accusation, “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” Perhaps you've seen the movie, Liar, Liar, starring Jim Carey as an attorney who cannot tell a lie for 24 hours. Because of this one little impediment, his life is turned upside...
Enough. Have you ever said that to God? Enough suffering, Lord. I’ve had more than my fair share of trouble. When is it going to stop? Remember the trials and tribulations of Job? His near-perfect life was disrupted by trouble. Lots and lots of trouble. He lost his...
A friend likes to post inspirational quotes on her Facebook page. I usually enjoy reading them (and love staying connected with her and so many others), but I couldn’t get past one particular quote. It was from self-help guru Susan Jeffers, who said, “There are no...
Few things are as heartrending as a father who betrays the trust of his children. Stories about children who have been physically and sexually abused are tragic. When the abuser is the child’s own father or a father figure, the reports are even more appalling. Yet...
“To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance” (Jude 1:1-2). Each of us have been called to serve our mighty God in a unique way. But we may become so busy fulfilling our call that...
I admit it...I am color-challenged. As in, every house we’ve lived in for the past 30+ years has had nothing but white walls. And white ceilings. And white wood trim. Oh, except for one house that already had wallpaper in the dining room. We left that up because it...
“We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts” (I Thess. 2:4) Serving the Lord can sometimes be discouraging work. It may become even more discouraging when we’ve poured ourselves into our calling - teaching, writing, or any other calling - and no one...
May is National ALS Awareness month. Ten years ago, this might not have registered on my radar. After all, there are more than 70 different monthly observances in May, including Brain Tumor Awareness, Fibromyalgia Education, Lupus Awareness, Strike Out Strokes, and...
Reflections on the Names of God: The Devotional That Keeps on Giving! Ten years ago, I held my first published...
Love, Care, Share In a world where love, care, and sharing seem to be in short supply, a friend’s prayer...
Context is King One of my favorite scenes from The Princess Bride includes a conversation between a character...