Sticky desserts consumed, my extended family and I cram amiably onto the couch and dining room chairs around my narrow condo living room. It's Christmas night; 19 of us are gathered — my sister and brother-in-law, their children and their spouses and children, my husband, our three grown children and I. Gifts find their recipients…
In This New Day: A Prayer
In this new day, may the words I say and what I pursue not rush ahead of You May I keep in step not behind or nearby I want to be with You listening hearing heeding satisfied savoring usable strengthened with all power according to the might of Your glory. If you haven’t discovered life…
50 Years of Following the King: By His grace, I am what I am!
From a brown-haired teen to a graying older lady, I have seen the King in His beauty. The eyes of my heart have been enlightened. "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth." His people are the majestic ones, in whom is all my delight. Today I celebrate…
What Name Do You Want to Be Known By? A (No) Rags to Riches Story
I would never want to be called any kind of harlot, especially one like this one — a wife who loathed her husband and left his embrace for many lovers. A wife who paid her lovers to help themselves. A mother who hated her children and put them to death for foreign gods. With this…
8 New Ways to Think…and Find Peace
It was April 1, 1975, in a small college chapel in Bronxville, New York, when I turned my life over to Christ. Within a couple of weeks, I knew I had received more than the gift of eternal salvation. Among my new gifts was a wonderful peace in my heart. And I found I had…
Songs for God’s Sweet Word
One day, newly engaged, I was with Ed, my fiancé, in a beautiful canyon in California. I wished I could quote Psalm 148, with its list of many aspects of creation, to express my heart full of praise. I decided to try and make up a tune to help me memorize this psalm, so the…
Engage People with the Good News: They – and You – Will Be Glad You Did
We followers of Jesus want everyone to know our Savior! Though I’m always a little afraid of people’s reactions, I’ve learned to open my mouth to witness. I’m encouraged by this saying: “Success in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to…
Dear Lovely Girl, Why You Should Wait to Wear White, and Who Cares?
First, God cares. God, who created you, lovely girl, is the one who said: “Wait!” Wait for marriage to have sex — your white wedding dress the traditional symbol that you did. Doesn’t that make God a killjoy? Well, because He cares so much for you, and if marriage is part of His best plan…
Is Your Heart Tender as You Enter the New Year?
The new year has dawned. How’s your heart toward God? How's mine? Pressing close, softening? Or withdrawing, hardening? No matter how difficult our challenges, will we lean in to Jesus with hope and faith, resting in His love, keeping our hearts tender with obedience? Or will we turn away in cynicism or fear, doubting His…
There’s a Better Journey Ahead When We Listen to the Right Voice
“Why did we come here?" I thought. Of all the places our study tour group had visited in Israel, none had affected me like this archeological tell at Dan, the site of an ancient altar. The atmosphere seemed oppressive. I did not want to be there. Site of the ancient altar at Dan What made…
The Nearness of God 