When I was a youngster, school officials dismissed classes early on Good Friday—the Friday before Easter Sunday—so families could attend church services commemorating the crucifixion of Christ. Easter vacation usually came the following week. Today that vacation time is called spring break and we never hear the
God still takes my breath away. “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, For I have put my trust in you.” –Psalm 143:8
The graceful lines of a beautiful pitcher draw me like a thirsty soul to a bubbling spring. Several styles in various colors top my kitchen cabinetry. Hand-thrown pottery is my favorite, and rare mugs sometimes squeeze into the line-up with their hearty handles and heavy weight. But
Ever feel like you need a hug from God? I do. Sometimes I just want to crawl up on His lap, lay my head on His chest and listen to the beat of His heart. I believe we can do that. “But that’s not productive,” you say.
POV—point of view—is critical to a writer. As he creates his story, he must decide from whose point of view a scene will be described. Whose head will the reader be in during a chase, an argument, a conversation, or a tender moment? It’s all about perspective.
Robert Frost wrote of two roads diverging in a yellow wood. His famous poem “The Road Not Taken” speaks to choices we all face. Jesus addressed the same issue, telling of a broad way and a narrow way. The narrow road leads to life, He said, “and
Look closely at this photograph. Exactly in the center, just to the right of the tree. See it? I’m not a smiley-face kind of person, but this one caught me by surprise one snowy morning last week. In the middle of my work on a novel set
My expectant daughter-in-law, Kelli, asked me to go with her to her ultrasound appointment this week. The baby is Kelli’s first and will make an appearance in July. Grandchild number four! I knew what to expect. Ultrasound scoped out my daughter, now all grown up, so it
This morning I heard new songs at the Riverwalk. Not the stalwart red-winged blackbird that faithfully sings through the winter, but a new lilting refrain, fresh and clear. The river sang a different tune as well, popping and creaking at its ice-rimmed edges. In chorus, they sounded
Creativity Something we wish we had more of, right? Today I’m hosting author and speaker Karen Whiting who’s written a fun book of craft ideas for girls. Check out her suggestions for finding God’s creative spark in the New Year. *** I love creativity and always feel
Angel Song. Sounds like a book title or a new fragrance at the cosmetic counter. However, Pope Benedict XVI takes the concept quite literally, as if everyone has heard such song or at least heard of it. I recently read about Benedict’s new book debunking a few
For years I told my own children and students at school that there is no such thing as a stupid question. I’ve changed my mind. Too many times one of those aforementioned youngsters posed the query, “Is this good enough?” If they have to ask, the answer