Gaining a heart of wisdom
Knowing God by J.I. Packer was the first book of theology that I bought and read simply because I wanted to. It had not been assigned by any professor, and it was not related to anything that I was teaching at the time. I wanted to read it because it sounded like an invitation to… Continue reading J.I. Packer: Strategies for Living
During their years of captivity, the people of Israel needed encouragement. The prophet Zephaniah reminded them of God's presence in their midst, His power to save, and the fact that He rejoiced in His love for them, a joy that was expressed in song! "The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will… Continue reading New Girl. New Song.
Slowly, slowly, she made her painful way through the kitchen. Her eyesight dimming, she had not yet detected my presence there in the room, so I could watch unnoticed and register every discouraged sigh. Then, with sad resignation, these words: “I don’t know why this has to be so hard.” Sadly, I realized that it… Continue reading It’s Time
Reading Warren Wiersbe, I understand how my kids feel when I glance into a closet and pull out the basketball they "can't find." It was there all along, but they just didn't see it. In his writing Dr. Wiersbe pulls outlines and alliteration out of Scripture -- rather than imposing them upon the text --… Continue reading Hebrews — “Be Confident!”
When Esteban, the church parking lot attendant, was charged with heresy, no one took the accusation seriously -- at least not at first. He viewed his trial as one more platform for The Story, and with a very influential audience. No one could have predicted the crowd becoming a mob, and his listeners becoming his… Continue reading Your Story Matters
Here in Maine, the birds play it safe -- and so do the bugs. A short summer means a short life-cycle, so blend in and live! That's why a cardinal or an oriole at the feeder is a show-stopper, and the annual flurry of monarch butterflies will stop my tomato picking and leave me standing… Continue reading Books for a Backyard Safari
Ascend the stairs to the upper room. Crack open the door, and join Jesus and His disciples as they celebrate Passover together for the last time. Discover, with Bill Donahue, that da Vinci's masterpiece is only one way of looking at The Last Supper. The Irresistible Community is a continuation of the life together which convened around that… Continue reading We Long to Belong
How has Gary Thomas sold half a million copies of a book about marriage that does not promise readers a happier marriage? No promise of six steps to more intimate pillow talk. No descriptions of three tips for more zip. The fact is that Sacred Marriage - The Revised Edition talks about the challenges and disappointments that… Continue reading Marriage: A Spiritual Discipline?
Twenty-five years of marriage have flown by. In many ways, my husband and I are not the same people who walked down the aisle in that big, beautiful church with pipe organ music and the aroma of gardenias in the air. Everything in our lives has changed -- except one thing. We are still working at our love.… Continue reading Enduring and Beautiful Marriage
Can we find an actor with the earnest manner and unassuming heroism of Jimmy Stewart? Is there an actress with the grace and gentility of Donna Reed to play the female lead? I humbly submit 'Til We Meet Again: A Memoir of Love and War as a candidate for re-enactment on the big screen. Nailing the… Continue reading The Good Wound
Living Our Days 