"Stephen's hurt. Going to the ER. Gotta go." Click. Three super-short sentences that changed a family's life--our family's life. Our world changed that day. Of course, at the time, if you asked Stephen what happened, he'd say, "A bird died." A raven. Just one or the grouping name Continue Reading
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Lessons on the Armor of God: A Devotional
So the other night, Luke was studying the Word, trying to see how he, as a husband, needed to "live in an understanding way" with a miserable, pregnant wife. But things took an unexpected turn, and this happened. So what does the armor of God have to do with being a good husband? Continue Reading
4 Reasons NOT to Have a Large Family (# 3 is the kicker)
In case you hadn't heard, we have nine children. Nine. Count 'em 1, 2, 3... yeah. Nine. Additionally, we have five grandchildren (and that's just #1Daughter's contribution). A large family is a blessing and... well... yeah. It's a blessing. Let's go with that one. And although all but one of Continue Reading
Why This New Series Is Destined to Be a Favorite
"These red roads are so peculiar!" Those words are some of the first I remember from the delightful Anne Shirley. Until I read about the red-headed orphan, I'd never heard of Prince Edward Island. I didn't know about the old-fashioned notion of "romantic" that meant more than hearts and Continue Reading
Productivity from a Booth
The sound of an airplane pierces through slumber. Eyes open. Head snaps up. Whiplash first from the aforementioned snapping, then from getting tossed aside by said airplane. Note: It really isn't an airplane. It's just a fan with a motor that sounds like a single-engine plane and a blade the Continue Reading
Taking Thoughts Captive = Spiritual Warfare?
I was writing in Ante Up! last month and looked up the reference for "taking every thought captive..." Can I just say, whoa? I always think of that Scripture in light of fixing my mind on Jesus. Not letting my thoughts run away with me. Not lying to myself. Controlling where my thoughts go and Continue Reading
Twenty-Seven Years (i.e. WHOA!)
That's how long it's been since our wedding day. Twenty-seven years. Our "wedding day" is not to be confused with our "marriage" day. We got married in Las Vegas on November 25, 1988. But, three months later, on February 18, 1989, we still had our wedding. I was just talking with my favorite Continue Reading
Character Interview: Kaye
I thought it might be nice to check in with Kaye--see how she's doing, and find out if she has had a "freak out" thing this year or not. I mean, she had one before, and it meant a whole life overhaul, right? Chautona: Kaye? You here? Kaye: Yeah... hang on! Purrlock has my phone.... CAT! Continue Reading
Just What Is/Are Deceptive Appearances about Anyway?
Did you know Deceptive Appearances was the original title for Justified Means? Yep! I really loved the title, but as the story developed, so did the underlying struggle of whether or not the end ever justifies the means. Is committing one crime to prevent a worse one ever acceptable? Can Continue Reading
If You Give an Author a Character…
If you give an author a character, She's going to want a story, When you suggest that she write the story, She'll probably work to make it amazing. When she's finished, she'll ask you read it. Then she'll ask for a pen so she can make "corrections and improvements." With great reluctance, Continue Reading
Why the Super Bowl Is Officially Evil
My husband has this thing about soccer. He says, "It's the 'sport of the beast'." Okay, under certain eschatological positions, he may have a point. After all, it is a "one-world" sport, so to say. Whereas, American "football" is pretty much ours. I don't know if anyone else in the world does it Continue Reading
Murphy’s Mystery Law (and 20K reasons I’ll prevail)
Let me set the scene. Denny's. Eleven o'clock at night. I had to wait for my "usual" booth--table 14. It's the only table in the restaurant with an outlet right at the base of the bench seat. My spot. It happens almost every night these days. I walk in, they point to "my table" and tell me Continue Reading
