Author Ava Pennington
Author Ava Pennington

I Don’t Like My “One Word”

I don’t like my “one word” for 2015, but I’m keeping it anyway. Let me explain… I have many friends who have been selecting one word to focus on for each new year as a substitute for new year’s resolutions. I've thought about doing it, but was never really motivated...

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Thanksgiving List

I've been posting something for which I'm thankful every day this month. Today, in honor of Thanksgiving, I offer you my list: A month of thankfulness: Day 1 – Thankful for God’s sovereignty in the world…and in my life. Day 2 – Thankful that God is faithful even when...

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Buck the Crowd – Give Thanks

We’ve all heard the advice: Don’t buck the crowd. Go along to get along. Don’t rock the boat. When I’m with a group of people, often the last thing I want to do is buck the crowd. Children are especially vulnerable to this feeling. As a child, I was the...

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The Best Defense is a Good Offense

Thirty years ago, I stopped a pickpocket. It happened on Nassau Street in lower Manhattan as I watched a man match his stride with the woman in front of him. When he was close enough, he reached into her coat pocket from behind and lifted out her wallet. She was...

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Rash Behavior

Confident. Over-confident. Cocky. And I paid the price. This has been an interesting summer. I’ve spent the past three months tackling weeds around the perimeter of our backyard. I hadn’t weeded those areas in two years. And yes, it was as bad as you just imagined....

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Lady in Waiting

Wait. It’s a four-letter word in more ways than one. I hate waiting. Waiting in lines at the post office. Waiting for a green light at intersections. Waiting for answers to prayer. That last one is the worst. Waiting for answers to prayer. Especially when I know the...

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Tickled Ears

Can you answer these questions? Do you even care? Is there a Buddhist terror threat? Why is the status of the Euro important? How does Vladimir Putin’s leadership affect the United States? What impact does Japan’s military have on world affairs? Who are the rising...

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Walk the Walk

Have you ever walked with small children? Hand in hand, they keep up with you by taking two or three steps for each one of yours. Experts say walking is the simplest and best way to get healthy and stay healthy. It’s easy on the knees, does not require expensive...

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I’ve Changed

“You’ve changed.” The words may be spoken with disappointment or regret. After decades of marriage, one party confronts the other. Change is often the reason for the end of the relationship. “You’re not the same person I married.” Today is my wedding anniversary....

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Masks on Stage

What do comic book superheroes and villains, children on Halloween, and masquerade balls have in common?  You probably guessed masks. Masks conjure up images of mysterious strangers. Or sinister villains. Or heroic crime fighters. Or maybe just playful children. We...

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