Why the ongoing dissent in so many families? Irreconcilable differences, anger, unforgiveness, walls of not-talking. Where are You, LORD, as family members estrange each other? We are all broken people trying to survive. It hurts when some choose others as their “family,” distance themselves, and leave us bewildered. Our hearts are shredded when differences crucifyContinue reading “When Family Wounds Run Deep”
Category Archives: Musings
The Inheritance God Offers
Have you prepared your will? Put things in motion to leave an inheritance? When my parents passed, their gifts were set according to their desires. God, our Heavenly Father, also has bequests for us. His Will began before our conception. He already knew us. While reading Ephesians 5, I was reminded of receiving an inheritanceContinue reading “The Inheritance God Offers”
When Clods Are Thrown At You
Some days the clarion call in our lives is “Incoming! Take cover!” Battle worn and weary, we wonder: “When will it end? When will peace come again? How do we navigate through?” How do we find our sea legs in an unending storm? Second Samuel 16:5–14 records King David’s experience when his son Absalom conspiredContinue reading “When Clods Are Thrown At You”
A New Creation
Recently I read something fascinating about caterpillars becoming butterflies, versus pollywogs becoming frogs. Pollywogs simply transform—lose their tails and grow legs. These are natural changes of a young creature maturing. But the caterpillar? It actually dies, and its body liquifies into “caterpillar soup” inside its cocoon or chrysalis. In the process, specialized cells survive, andContinue reading “A New Creation”
Sin Versus Error
Hi, friends. Why does the word “sin” carry such weight? Why won’t the dread of it let go, no matter one’s culture or belief? The penalty of sin is spiritual death. No one can avoid it. Thankfully, God has provided the way of escape…the gift of salvation through Christ’s sacrifice. A free gift for allContinue reading “Sin Versus Error”
Facing The Lion’s Den
“I feel like I’m walking into the lion’s den.” I looked at my husband with those words hanging between us. My heart pounded. I was about to enter a situation I wasn’t ready for, face something I didn’t have the strength to handle. The biblical Daniel faced actual lions—thrown into their den for praying toContinue reading “Facing The Lion’s Den”
Light in the Shadows
Thank you to all who joined me during book launch week. Like after birthing a baby, I’m catching my breath since sharing the book into the world. What joy to share this walk through life with you! For the next several weeks, I plan to share thoughts garnered from “Walking Through Shadows: Finding Hope WhenContinue reading “Light in the Shadows”
Singing a Miracle of Praise
Time rewound and there I stood, in a New York City apartment, fellowshipping with others and singing praises to God in Holy Spirit song. The JOY of the LORD washed through the room and cascaded through us. It was 1972. I was in New York for a work-study program at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, theContinue reading “Singing a Miracle of Praise”
Potter and Clay
Matt Tommey’s reel on The Thriving Christian Artist today on Facebook reminded me of who I am…clay in the Potter’s hands. It gave me pause to consider again the “design of my life, the position of my heart, the gifts I’ve been given.” LORD, am I malleable clay, is my heart soft, does my mindContinue reading “Potter and Clay”
No Condemnation
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NLT NO CONDEMNATION! My heart burst this morning as the Holy Spirit reminded me of this truth. No matter the state of my world, my soul can rejoice in this unmatchable and astounding gift Christ gives through His death andContinue reading “No Condemnation”
A Human?
“Oh, I thought you were a human,” tripped through my sleepy brain. My eyes fluttered open, then shut again. Who spoke those words? Were they for me, or for someone or something else? How weird. It made no sense. Yes, I am a human. I sat up in the silence, covers wrapped to my chin. WhatContinue reading “A Human?”
Adrift in the Sea — “It’s OK”
What’s this lonely languishing As I drift on endless waves No port in sight No winging birds Just endless endless sea Beneath me churns those hidden things What might come to snatch me whole While sun beats hot And thunder booms And lightning strikes repeatedly Missing those who’ve turned away Rejecting still my poured outContinue reading “Adrift in the Sea — “It’s OK””
Magnolia’s Run: Walking Through Walls
Hi, friends! I’m excited to announce my new Teen and Young Adult novel, Magnolia’s Run: Walking Through Walls. In 1952, nine-year-old Magnolia is abducted from her Idaho family and transported to Kentucky for purposes beyond her understanding. Desperately clinging to the hope of returning home, she faces years of entrapment before deciding to flee. Magnolia’sContinue reading “Magnolia’s Run: Walking Through Walls”
When Stretched
Have you ever been to PT? Had strength training after an injury? Or, like my dear relative, experienced painful exercises after knee replacement surgery? “I have a deep respect for those who have chronic pain,” my relative said to me…the exact words I confessed to my physical therapist a few days before. What about chronicContinue reading “When Stretched”
A Gift of Gratitude
A writing friend recently invited me to keep a thirty-day gratitude journal. To identify every day what I am grateful for, notice the surprising lessons and blessings, contemplate life minus those good things, and journal for about twenty minutes each evening to give praise and thanks to God. How do I view God and theContinue reading “A Gift of Gratitude”
“Question Prayers”
After a serious discussion recently with a loved one, a series of “question prayers” arose as I wondered more about the heart of things…questions I’ve asked before, and lift up now again. Whatever has you fearful, bound, or confounded, may God empower you to overcome, and bless you with His presence through your journey. ~~~Continue reading ““Question Prayers””
Escaping Depression’s Tomb
The tomb of depression, my little room of despair, has threatened to squeeze life’s light out of me. Chinks of sadness, slowly mortared into repressive stones, attempt to close off the door of joy, oppress my spirit, and obstruct my desire to scoot out into the vibrancy of life. Looking beyond the shadowed portal, IContinue reading “Escaping Depression’s Tomb”
Connecting Passover and Easter
Carol Neelands (a Canadian writer friend) recently hosted a podcast with her guest Lamb Baker, about their play, The Passover Connection. Watch members of their small country church enact the first Passover story – God saving the Jewish people from the angel of death; New Testament Jewish believers pondering the significance of the death ofContinue reading “Connecting Passover and Easter”
A Changing Firmament
The swirling snow obscured the frozen lake and mountain view before us. The last few days, temperatures dipped to single digits, then soared to mid-forties. Yesterday, puddles appeared on the snow packed gravel driveway. Would they freeze and turn into a patchwork of tiny skating rinks? Or seep into depths below? Streaks of sun piercedContinue reading “A Changing Firmament”
The Little Man
Delicious aromas wafted through nostalgic oldie songs, the growl of grinding coffee beans, and buzzing octaves of conversations. Within this happy cacophony, a tiny, blonde boy swayed to his own tune, his sneaker-clad feet carrying him towards a glass door. What did he see? A bright grin lit his face, and his eyes sparkled. AbsorbedContinue reading “The Little Man”
Receding Snow
Day after day sparkling white blankets covered the world, and gave the earth permission to pause. Now the pristine mounds of white are nearly gone, soaking silently into the earth, and chasing soiled slush down grated drains. Is winter melting away, the long-awaited snow too soon relinquishing its place, receding and signaling the earth toContinue reading “Receding Snow”
A Snowflake Lesson
January’s weeks of storm watch, snow on the ground, and arctic freeze has kept much of the Northern Hemisphere poised for winter’s worst. Recently I stayed up late, anticipating the huge blizzard predicted for our area. Remembering picturesque winters from the past, I couldn’t wait to see beautiful, large snowflakes fluttering down. While putting awayContinue reading “A Snowflake Lesson”
Leaving Lo-debar
New Year’s Day 2024 dawned with the promises of new starts and resolutions. Yet, as I reflected on the state of the year left behind, I wondered at that growing, kicking child of strife and unrest silently waiting to emerge from the world’s contracting womb. A glance out the window revealed a fog of environmentalContinue reading “Leaving Lo-debar”
Christmas Repose 2023
Lights on a slim Christmas tree illumine the darkened room, a pyramid of white stars cascading from beneath shimmering angel wings. To the right of the tree, a small vintage cane-seat rocker cradles two new black-red buffalo plaid blankets. To the left, from the speaker beneath the television’s silent image of a Yule log’s dancingContinue reading “Christmas Repose 2023”
Holiday Book Gift Guide 2023
Hi, friends! An author friend recently compiled this Holiday Book Gift Guide 2023. Numerous Christian authors of Fiction, Nonfiction, Kids Books, Inspirational, and Journals are included. Check out the link below for book info and links to purchase. My two books are listed in the Kids Books section: Little Bit in the Great Wide ForestContinue reading “Holiday Book Gift Guide 2023”
Dew Upon The Arbor 