Flash Fiction from Three Perspectives

I’ve been having my two high school seniors focus on creative writing this semester. They recently completed an assignment in which they had to write a story of a few hundred words, complete with a surprise ending, beginning with the line, “When they finally unlocked the door, they were met with the smell of furniture…

A Fresh Perspective on “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice”

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. – 1 Samuel 15:22b Don’t you love it when familiar lines of Scripture take on new clarity and depth? For me, that’s one of the most exciting things about reading Scripture. When the Holy Spirit shares His insight (and I am sensible enough to listen), it’s a…

Is it Right to Hide Our Struggles from Fellow Believers?

In my Sunday school class several weeks ago, a fellow class member brought up the fact that we often keep our trials and tribulations from other church members. Sometimes, we don’t want to drag others down with our burdens, preferring to uplift them with a positive attitude and encouraging words. After all, other’s lives are…

Still Together, Still Charitable During the Christmas Season

Following is an excerpt from an article I wrote for a local magazine. The inspiring community leaders I interviewed shared their insights on how we can come still come together and give to others during this holiday season. Perhaps they will inspire you as well! By this shall all men know that ye are my…

How Bad Is Ingratitude?

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. – 2 Timothy 3:2 If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you'll know that I've been on a quest to get fit. After working through a shoulder injury and balancing the realities of middle-aged joints…

The Bittersweet Experience of Changing Churches

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. – Psalm 32:8 This week, my husband and sat across from our pastor, a man whom we respect and admire, and let him know we would be attending a different church, one closer to…

A Christian’s View of Death (from my kids’ perspective)

I asked my kids, now seniors in high school, to write brief essays inspired by John Donne's "Death, Be Not Proud" (linked here). I always enjoy reading their thoughts on weighty issues. They seem more mature than I was as a teenager! I hope their words will be a blessing to you. From Aidan, age…

Ignored by Christ

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. – Psalm 27:14 My two seniors, sixth grader, and I began our home school year last week. The beginning of a new school year never fails to bring back memories of our very first day of school thirteen years…

Your Reputation Precedes You

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. – Matthew 7:20 My family and I have spent the past few days packing for a long-awaited vacation to the Great Lakes region. Because we’re not big fans of hotels, we reserved a place to stay through Home Away. It’s a family home on several acres within walking distance of a…

Struggling to Grow Spiritually

Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. – Zechariah 10:1 For the past several months, my family and I have been transplanting perennials, bulbs, and shrubs from one garden bed into another across the driveway. We didn’t…