The Facebook post looked like one many of us have seen. A picture of toys and shoes strewn across the floor followed by the caption of a harried mother. The poster? My oldest daughter. She’s a wise girl. She’s also rather raw and “real” in the best sense usually. She’s human. She got that from Continue Reading
Personal
What Characters Do I Love to Write Most & Why?
The question didn’t surprise me. People ask all kinds of things. Where you get your ideas, what your favorite genre to write is, what your favorite genre to read is… So asking what kind of character is my favorite to write seemed reasonable enough. “Kids, I think.” That earned me a blank look Continue Reading
Another Way I Was Surprised at the SoCalCWConference
I already told you how God slapped me upside the head and taught me how to lay down my preferences and focus on Him in worship at the SoCalCWConference HERE. But that wasn’t the only way I was surprised. Amid all the hubbub, the people asking for help with this, offering encouragement for Continue Reading
I Survived a Weekend of Contemporary Worship & Loved It
"Hey! How’s the conference going for you?” She’s a beautiful woman who just radiates the love of Jesus as she plays her hammered dulcimer, sings, or just sits and smiles up at you. I sat down. I had a confession to make—one I thought she should hear. It might help if you knew a bit about my Continue Reading
3 Important Reasons Christians Need to “Retreat”
"I’ll miss chat this week. DH (internet-speak for “dear hubby”) and I are going on a retreat with our church.” I know I wasn’t the only one who winced at the word “retreat.” Some because they knew the flurry of responses that would follow. Others because we’d been drilled about how evil it was for Continue Reading
Have I Ever Mentioned How Much I Hate Cancer?
The old-style letter came disguised as an email. But despite the digital delivery, the contents could have been handwritten with a fountain pen or dip quill. The subject, simple. Thank you for your books. I get a lot of emails—dozens, often hundreds—every day. The quick answers I usually zip Continue Reading
Important Thoughts on Faith, Fellowship, and Mirrors
A few years ago, I saw something happening in homeschooling circles. I saw people excluding others because they weren’t “godly enough.” I saw people withdrawing more and more from the world around them until they became isolated mini-clusters. Look. It’s appealing to people like me. I like being Continue Reading
2 Simple but Effective Rules That Changed My Life
It might surprise you to learn that I was a rather talkative and, frankly, arrogant child. Hang on while I jerk my tongue from my cheek... In fact, I coined the term “thunder puppy” to define that sense of “I’ve gotta fix the world” attitude that kids like me get. Dad saw it in me at a Continue Reading
Last Words in the Last 5 Minutes of Life:
You’re dying. No, really. You are. We all are. But what if you were dying… now? What if you only had five minutes to convey your last message to those you love most? Just a “time out” before death to write the one message that fills your soul. This was an exercise at last year’s retreat. Continue Reading
More Unlikely Mentors & Their Incredible Lessons
Quiet, steady, hardworking, sincere. I’ve always admired him. The love he showed his family, his never-wavering commitment to provision and protection. His smile. Music fills my mind. Dah-dee-dah-dee-dee-dah…dah-dee-dee-dah-dee-dah… An old Model AA pickup appears. The smiling faces of Continue Reading
Why Is It That People NEVER Read?: A Rant
The post appeared in my feed. Just a short story about how my friend’s mail guy had a Monday Moment and took out her mailbox—splintered post and all. She posted with just a picture and a comment that read something like, “Pray for our poor mail guy. He’s having a tough day today.” Followed by cute Continue Reading
Why Do I Blog All the Time? My Top Reasons
While drunks demanded pancakes and bourbon chicken skillets, the woman slid my open planner toward her and skimmed the entries. Yes, she asked before she did, and I didn’t care. I mean, it’s just my editorial calendar—the books that are on sale, the upcoming releases, books I have to ship, social Continue Reading
