Sun-scorched land. Not my favorite place to be, but sometimes I find myself scrabbling through loose rock and sand—just like a character in the final novel of my three-book historical series. As a seat-of-the-pants writer, I don’t plot and plan the story up front, I simply sit …
Unimproved road, the sign said. Looked all right to me. My husband and I continued along the unpaved lane through grazing land and open cow country, admiring an old ranch house and barn surrounded by towering cottonwood trees. The beautiful setting inspired peaceful thoughts as we drove …
Have you ever been stuck between a rock and a hard place? This tongue-in-cheek cliché is our go-to phrase when times are tough. When we feel wedged in a difficult situation, pressed upon by immovable obstacles and opposition, we begin to doubt that we can do what …
#thepotter The potter returned to our church last Sunday and demonstrated how God raises us up. There is more to resurrection, he said, than rising from physical death. Of course we hope that is true. Most of us long to rise from the grave of failed relationships, …
I misplaced only two things during our recent move across town: my shoes and my Bible. Actually, it was more than two things, but all the shoes were in one giant box because I thought it was a good idea at the time. Of course the box …
This pickup man takes a break after the rodeo. He’s still wearing his armor – the heavy thick chaps, knee pads, shin guards, spurs, rope, hat. Each item has a critical purpose and is designed to help him do his job—getting cowboys out of a storm or …
“I didn’t see that one coming.” “How could God let this happen?” “What now?” Been there? I dare say, most have. We lose our job, our home, our love, our way. We struggle to get back up, dig out the gravel pitting our flesh, and continue on. …
Ever feel like a misfit? Like you don’t measure up or conform enough? Like you’re just too different? Author Karla Akins knows the feeling but is encouraged by other nonconformists in the Bible. She says: Now that I’m a grandmother (okay – old), I find great comfort …
In celebration of my upcoming release, I’d love to give away an advance copy to someone willing to write a brief review on Amazon or elsewhere between Aug. 6 – 17. The lucky winner will also win a signature “bootmark.” To enter this event, comment here with …
Unbranded cattle in the early days of ranching were often nabbed by rustlers and burned with the mark of whoever caught them. Sounds like something that could happen to people with no direction or focus. After all, we do have an enemy that shoots fiery darts. …
This blog and my website will soon share the same address and a new look, but everything is currently being rounded up. I hope to see you soon. And I hope you’ll like what you find when you check back in. Until then … Blessings!
Persist. Persevere. Overcome. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Hang on. Tired yet? Just looking at those terms wears me out, yet without struggle there is no victory. My literary agent, Linda Glaz, understands this principle on a couple of different levels, and today she shares her …
In light of Memorial Day, my last blog post referenced several biblical comments on remembering—how important it is, how honoring, even humbling. But during the research for that post, I also noticed God’s forgetfulness. God forgetful? Yes, He is forgetful. By choice. The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah …
Remembering: It’s a worthy act when we stop to partake with grace. When we remember those before us who cleared the road ahead or laid the foundations or laid down their lives. Out of curiosity I looked up the word remember in a Bible reference and found …
How do these Canada goslings know what to do? Are mom and dad standing on the log squawking out orders like the famous insurance mascot duck? Of course not. Those furry little balls are simply doing what they see the grownups doing. The elders are showing, not …