We Long to Belong

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

Marriage: A Spiritual Discipline?

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?

Enduring and Beautiful Marriage

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

Managing Our Middle Moments

The beginning. The middle. The end. Every journey, every process has three stages.  Beginnings are exciting and full of promise.  Endings are satisfying and fulfilling.  The Miracle in the Middle by Charlotte Gambill addresses the murky middle, the time between two shores when people lose interest, become discouraged, or just drop out.  Charlotte's word of encouragement… Continue reading Managing Our Middle Moments

Saying Hard Truth

I had never heard of Huldah the summer that I stood in my growing-up kitchen and hollered into the phone, “You can’t let him come home because he’s crazy!” I don’t recall whether I was heard on that occasion, whether our feet were spared another few days or weeks of walking on the hot rocks… Continue reading Saying Hard Truth

Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Fitness

The late Elisabeth Elliot used to rejoice whenever a Q and A session gave her the opportunity to address the topic of weight loss.  "Thank you for asking this question, for it seems that no one has the right to address the subject of weight," she would say.  "If you have never been overweight, then… Continue reading Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Fitness

The Great Eight!

My youngest son's best friend is an adopted orphan from Africa.  Their first "play date" was barely impacted by the language barrier, and they have been friends for so many years that they can just barely remember life without each other.  For this reason, Mike and Hayley Jones' story about their adoption of eight (yes,… Continue reading The Great Eight!