A few years ago, I was driving around town doing the after-school shuffle. I dropped off my youngest at swim team and rushed to the middle school to pick up my middle son. One of his friends needed a ride, so I gladly ran him home. I planned to return library books and pick up a prescription before … [Read more...] about A Monumental Christmas
The House a Dumpster Built & The Surprises Inside
Even in the daylight, it looked like a scary movie set. We stared through our minivan windows, waiting for Oliver to emerge from the scene. I double-checked the house number Oliver's mom had given me. My six-year-old son had invited two school friends to Wednesday night church. It felt like a … [Read more...] about The House a Dumpster Built & The Surprises Inside
The Gospel According to… Halloween?
What if the gospel is more like Halloween than Christmas? If you grew up hearing that Halloween was the celebration of evil, you might feel as shocked as I did when the question was posed to me. When I considered how the two holidays might relate to the gospel, the thought of Halloween being a … [Read more...] about The Gospel According to… Halloween?
God, what are you waiting for?
A dear friend of mine is about to plunge herself into a spiritual challenge of heroic proportions. The problem is, she doesn't realize it. Right now, she's just doing what's in front of her and planning her next step of obedience. When I visited with her about increased responsibility, … [Read more...] about God, what are you waiting for?
Why this trial?
It’s often said, “You’ve either been through a trial, are going through a trial, or are headed for a trial.” I’m not sure who first said it, but life sure has a way of validating the statement, doesn’t it? Pandemic, anyone? Add to that a thousand physical, emotional, and spiritual battles … [Read more...] about Why this trial?
What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
“Mom, I have a problem.” It’s the phone greeting no one wants. For a parent, those five words have the power to rev up the circulatory system and unleash a maximum dose of adrenaline. It was a gorgeous day, and since everything in our entire schedule had been canceled, my son went fishing. He … [Read more...] about What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do