Have you been feeling anxious lately? If so, you are one among millions. Everyone seems to be worrying about something: global warming, terrorist attacks, Russians hacking, GMOs, the apocalypse. We wear fit bits to monitor heart rate, footsteps, sleep patterns. We carry communication systems in our pockets, and live by text messages, tweets and snapchat. …
The Fine Art of Parenting Our pastor, Jim Swaney, recently gave a wonderful sermon on three kinds of fathers. I think it applies to mothers as well. There are three kinds of fathers and mothers: absent, involved parent, strategic. What turns a caring, involved father or mother into a strategic parent? One who knows that …
The theme of the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution this year was “Beauty”, beauty that restores, refreshes, revives, reconciles and recreates. “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hands of the Lord.” It fit perfectly with my WIP, a story of brokenness and redemption, and communication through art. One of the presenters, Rev. …
Rick and I recently attended the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution (ICAP) in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Over the five days, we attended workshops and met people from 32 countries around the world, all involved in the fight against sex trafficking. They are working on the front lines in the darkest corners of our planet, often …
I have shared before that my husband, Rick, has Parkinson’s Disease, likely due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Thankfully, he is doing well, but we both know changes are coming. Better to anticipate than live in denial. Hence, we moved from a house full of stairs to a ranch-style on one floor. No …
President Trump has signed an order aimed at easing a rule limiting political activity for religious organizations. The order directs the Treasury Department not to take action against religious organizations that engage in political speech. It’s no surprise that this is already drawing mixed reviews, even from religious leaders, some of whom believe politics has …
Our new home has a pool. Rick has always wanted one, and we tell ourselves it will be great for low-impact exercising our aging, aching bodies. The previous owner didn’t swim and saw no reason to clean the pool or maintain the equipment. Cha-ching. Upside is wildlife enjoyed the scuzzy-looking pond, including a river otter …
A missionary friend shared her airport experience in Harare, Zimbabwe. Everyone was checked into the flight, luggage on board. People filed onto the plane in an orderly manner, stowed their carry-ons and took their seats. The stewardess closed the airplane doors and set the locks. People buckled up, ready to go. And then they sat. …
Not long ago, we had a tree specialist come in to trim our redwoods, which look sparse and sick. We thought they were suffering from the drought, but were shocked to find out they are suffocating and starving to death. Previous owners laid black plastic around them to prevent weeds and then added a thick …
Over the years, I’ve read the Bible many times and studied through classes as well as on my own. I am not a scholar, but I know without doubt God meets us where we are and His Word is living and applicable to our everyday life. Even if I read through the Scriptures every year …