The Disney princesses messed me up. I confess I had quite a fascination with them when I was growing up (after I finished my Princess Leia phase, that is). I was going to be as beautiful as Aurora and I was going to have a grand adventure like Belle. And I was going to be a singer like Ariel. Or at the very least, a marine biologist. But let’s get real for a moment, shall we? There was one big problem with all those Disney Read More
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Where Have All the Good Girls Gone?
Not long ago I was scrolling through social media and found myself disheartened. Photo after photo slapped me awake with immodest images, crude language and innuendo. Worldly philosophies permeated the newsfeed. “Follow your heart.” “Never take no for an answer.” “The best thing we can do for our daughters to show them how to be happy.” The more I saw, and the more I’ve observed in the past year, the more I’ve begun to ask, “Where have all the good girls gone?” ‘ Standing up Read More
What is my 2020 Word of the Year?
Each year I pick a word to meditate on…I know. The whole concept can seem a bit hokey, but for wordsmiths, this concept is an exhilarating gem. It’s a way for me to stay focused on God, and His character, throughout the ups and downs and crazy distractions that mark each year. Past words of the year have been bold, peace, presence…you get the idea. After much thought and prayer, 2020’s word of the year is follow. This word wasn’t chosen lightly. This past season has Read More
When My Heart Finds Home: A Christmas Story
“I’m dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to—” Eli punched the scan button of the car radio dial with a little more force than necessary before curling his fingers back around the steering wheel. Static mingled with the broken sounds of passing Christmas tunes, news radio, and twangy country ballads. From the backseat, Joshua sighed. Eli glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “What’re you thinking about, buddy?” “Mom.” Joshua’s eyes listlessly roved over the passing scenery. “She loved Christmas Read More
Why Mary?
Last night, I sang a solo in church entitled “Be Born in Me”. It’s a haunting and beautifully composed set of lyrics woven around the thoughts that might have spun through young Mary’s mind and heart as Gabriel revealed the news that God had chosen her to give birth to the long-awaited Messiah. Here is a portion of the lyrics: Everything inside me cries for order Everything inside me wants to hide Is this shadow an angel or a warrior? If God is pleased with Read More
Was Jesus Really Born in a Stable?
There are so many traditions I adore about Christmas…hanging stockings over the fireplace, caroling, and reading Luke 2 as a family on Christmas Eve. Of course, the crazy thing about traditions is that growing up, we usually accept them and rarely question them until the habit becomes truth in our mind. As one person put it, “Tradition is peer pressure from dead people.” Imagine my surprise when I recently read through Luke 2 looking to learn more about the stable Jesus was born in. No Read More
All About “Hush”: A Special Visit from Leanna Sain!
I’m delighted to have Leanna Sain on the blog today. When I heard about the premise for Leanna’s upcoming release, I was instantly intrigued. We cared for my grandmother for many years while she battled dementia so I easily connected to Leanna’s heart. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do. Welcome, Leanna! We suspected it for months…maybe even years. It started as little things. Things Mama said or did… things she should remember, but didn’t… something not quite right; occasional at first, Read More
When Life Hands You…Wigs?
Yes, I know the saying goes, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Sometimes there’s not a lemon to be found but a startling abundance of hair pieces. Hang with me and I’ll explain. Not long ago I ordered a pair of pants from an online store. I was supposed to appear on a television interview and I thought the pants would be cute paired with a top I already owned. The company promised the product would arrive before my interview. You know what’s coming. Read More
Why Dandelions?
“Ugh! Why’d you have to put dandelions in your story? I hate dandelions!” I’ve heard the sentiment several times from adults when they hear the title of my latest novel Where Dandelions Bloom. My only response is a smile and an internal snicker. Their attitude is the whole reason why I chose that resilient little flower for the story. Several springs ago, I was scrolling through social media, admiring everyone’s plans for their lawns and flower beds. There seemed to be a resounding cry from the Read More
What We Can Learn from the MacArthur/Beth Moore Debacle
Over this past week, a YouTube recording surfaced of John MacArthur sitting on a panel playing word association with other so-called Christian leaders. When Beth Moore’s name was thrown out, MacArthur replied, “Go home.” Other guests went on to call her a narcissist and the panel responded with a slew of reactions, both with reasons why they didn’t support her stance on Biblical issues, to down-right name-calling. The recording unleashed a fire storm on social media and MacArthur is facing a huge backlash. I’ve observed Read More