Blog
Surrounded by Fire: Step One
I stopped watching the news last weekend. In emotional overload, I felt helpless, paralyzed. How could I, a peace-loving person, stop the riots? Stop cities from burning? What has happened to my country? To my city? How can gentle souls overpower mob rule? I woke...
Whistling in the Dark
While we find stories of kindness and passing it forward every day, the news is filled with people’s rage. Rage against guidelines. Against others who want to start working again.
Silver Lining Update #2: A Poem by Karen deBlieck
As so many of us endeavor to build each other up, cheer each other on, and learn some lessons God may be teaching us, I want to do my part by sharing the blessings that enter my life each day in this world of pandemic. Karen deBlieck is one of my critique partners and...
Silver Lining Update
Last week I shared with you some of the little (and big) things that people are doing to help people while we all practice social distancing. Readers commented, sent emails, and chatted with me on the phone. So here is a list of what has been shared so far. Maybe...
The Silver Lining in The Worldwide Cloud of Pandemic
Many of you can remember the days after Nine-Eleven. Americans had a common enemy and they stood shoulder to shoulder in opposition to anyone who had tried to harm them. Some pictures in the news at that time have remained in my memory ever since. Ash-covered New...
And They Lived Happily Ever After
When I was a little girl, my favorite stories were all those romantic fairytales produced by Walt Disney. Cinderella goes to the ball in a beautiful gown and falls in love with the prince. After dealing with the mean stepmother, they live happily ever after. Snow...
My Imperfect Journey Upward on the Golden Slope
“This is the way! Let’s go!” Like the pearl merchant in Matthew 13, I have also found Treasure, the Golden Slope to Heaven. I scramble up the Golden Slope, falling on my face dozens of times, but I’m heading in the right direction. If only others would follow! I want...
Advent: Waiting for Treasure
December 1 marked the beginning of Advent this year on the Christian Church calendar. Advent. The season of anticipation, of expectation. We take time to remember how Mary and Joseph awaited the birth of Jesus. This chosen couple knew their son was special, but they...
How to Deal With a Bully
Cyber bullying has made the headlines in recent years. As if bullies were a new phenomenon. But bullying is as old as the first family’s existence. The Bible only details the final showdown, but I imagine Cain and Abel had several go-rounds over the years. The boys...
Tell Your Children: History Made Poignant When It’s YOUR History
I woke up this morning to the voice of our local talk news radio DJ Tony Katz as he shared his experience and memories of 9/11. Oh, great, I thought. This entire day will be dominated by eighteen-year-old news. Depressing. Not my best moment. Tony's next words changed...
5 Avenues of God’s Love in Our Lives
I was supposed to be a Christian, growing up in a family who went to church. Mom, Dad, and four kids. I earned pins for Sunday School attendance. I believed in Jesus as the Savior of the world. And yet. Something was missing. An indefinable empty space. My rebellious...
GIVEAWAY! What’s Your Best Title?
A giveaway for readers who love fiction. I would love your help. Sparkles from Silence needs a new title. And if you can come up with a title that resonates with me and the message of the book, you can win a $10 Amazon gift card! Here's what's wrong with the original...