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…

Trusting God’s Plans & Processes

My family will celebrate my son’s eighteenth birthday this weekend. Here he is, from this sweet little face… …to this far too grown-up one. When he was a little guy, I made him many themed birthday cakes, like this Star Wars Millennium Falcon cake. But this year, he asked for something simple – a layer…

A New Year’s Plan, God’s Way

Let all things be done decently and in order. – 1 Corinthians 14:40 Every year, I tend to get a bit stressed out during the holidays.  Perhaps more than a bit, actually. During much of October, November, and December, I add more tasks to my to-do list each day than I cross off, and I usually end squeezing in…

The True Measure of Our Thanksgiving

I love celebrating Thanksgiving. I appreciate the relaxed pace of the day. I’m grateful that it’s free of all the trappings that make Christmas such an event. Thanksgiving is a time of pleasant reminiscences, favorite signature dishes, and heartfelt gratitude. Considering all that our forefathers endured leading up to their first Thanksgiving celebration also refreshes…

The “One Thing” Jesus Emphasized

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. – Mark 10:21 My oldest son and I were talking late one night last week about…

Celebrating Christ Every Day (not just when the calendar dictates!)

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the…

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…

Joy in Your Mission

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:1a With the return to school, our household has slipped into the familiar patterns and habits of autumn. Efficiency becomes a necessity at this time of year more than any other, as I complete my rounds each day:…

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…

Perfect Peace: Shalom, Shalom

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. – Isaiah 26:3 In early August, our family vacationed in Wisconsin near Lake Michigan. We are not the sort of vacationers who like to do things on vacation – instead, we prefer not to do things. We…