Our Inner Emily and How to Live in the Present

My eighth grade English teacher had us read the play, Our Town by Thornton Wilder. Mr. Greco was trying to teach us how to identify the theme, or the author’s message - that which lies beyond the mere retelling of a plot. My thirteen year-old brain, which up to this point had leaned toward Betty... Continue Reading →

BIG Surprise!

My 3-year old granddaughter came home from her first day of preschool and announced with great delight, "Mama, BIG Surprise!" She then reached down the neck of her dress and pulled out a family photograph - the same photograph that she had brought to school that morning and was supposed to leave at school, at... Continue Reading →

Yes, YOU!

Are you familiar with the childhood clapping-chant that begins with the query, “Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?” This is followed by a pointed accusation and a subsequent denial. (“Mama stole the cookies… Who me?… Yes, you!… Couldn’t be!… Then who?”) Moral ambiguity aside, the exchange is a fun way to practice clapping... Continue Reading →

Hope Restored

I was sifting through the mail when a familiar looking envelope caught my eye.  At first I thought it was a letter addressed to me, but then I realized it was MY letter being returned to me. A birthday card I had mailed just a week earlier. It was addressed to Anna, a bed-ridden 90-year... Continue Reading →

Yet I will…

"Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vine.  Though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food. Though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls.  Yet I will exult in the Lord. I will... Continue Reading →

Crashing Waves; Eternal Hope

Life comes at us in waves.  Sometimes the waves bring the loss of a dear friend, finances in jeopardy, or an unwanted diagnosis. People glibly tell you, God will not give you more than you can handle.  This is false theology. The Bible says that trials are coming and they are more than we can... Continue Reading →

Moving Mountains

God is in the business of moving mountains.

Your She-Shack Awaits

Florence (pseudonym) is caring for her husband who is battling cancer.  She said to me, "God has a she-shack waiting for me in heaven." "What's a she-shack?" I asked. "Jesus said that he is preparing a mansion for us.  I told God to forget the mansion, that I wanted the equivalent of a man-cave....a she... Continue Reading →

Encouragement Verses

My niece is sending the following verses to her son as he embarks on his Ranger training in rural Georgia. We may not be facing Ranger-like tests, but when we grow faint-hearted, weary, tired, may these promises bring us hope and encouragement. "Do you not know? Have you not heard that the Lord, the everlasting... Continue Reading →

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