Is It All In The Shoes?
What’s your favorite pair of shoes? Mine is a cute pair of pink silk stiletto sandals with high ankle straps and big pink beads over the toes. They’re pretty and fun and as comfortable as heels can be. What’s not 
To Give or Receive: Love is the Question
If I were to ask how you express love to others, is there something that comes to mind right away? We hear a lot of talk about love languages. Supposedly, that’s how we express our love to others in meaningful
I Trust You, But…
When things are going haywire and the storms of life begin to swirl, is there someone that you trust to always be there for you? Someone who will take care of you? Someone who will listen and bring reason to
What To Do When Jesus Is Coming
What do you do to get ready when a guest is coming to visit? It probably depends on who they are and how long they’re staying. If they’re someone important that we’re trying to impress, the vacuum comes out, counters
Peace is Not the Absence of Trouble
What is peace? We hear people talk about wanting world peace or peace of mind. Some people use “peace” as a way of wishing others well at the end of a conversation or email. But what exactly is peace? Is
The View from Heaven
Have you ever experienced the view from heaven? Most of us have flown in airplanes and looked down at the patchwork of farms, rivers, forests and urban civilization below. Many of us have seen pictures of planet earth taken from
Seasons, They Are Changing
What’s your favorite season? It’s hard for me to decide. I love spring flowers and the warm, fresh breeze that ushers in excitement of new beginnings. I love the long days of summer and time outdoors with friends. I love
What Moves You?
What moves you? Feelings? Something you see? Something you hear? It’s hard to answer that question without knowing what “move” means. Move how? Move us in what way? Move us emotionally to a place of compassion? Move us to tears
Knock, Knock! Who’s There? Jesus.
Do you know any good “Knock, Knock” jokes? I have a hard time remembering jokes, but here are a few I think are really funny: Knock, knock! Who’s there? Juno. Juno who? Juno I’m out here waiting, right? Knock, knock!
The Pendulum of Life
Have you ever watched the pendulum of a large clock, like a grandfather clock? It goes back and forth in a slow, methodic rhythm. Never stopping. Never detouring. Just left and right and left again, over and over as it
The Power of Belief
What is something you believe is true without a shadow of a doubt? How do you know? Usually we know something is true based on personal experience. I’m helping a friend of mine train for her first half-marathon. Each week
An Audience Of One
Do you ever feel like you’re performing for others? Like the script of your life isn’t what you want to write, but it’s what other people have written for you? Or that you’re not really the person you want to
Are We There Yet?
Have you ever been on a long trip when someone in your family (or group) breaks through the impatience barrier and utters those all-too-famous words, “Are we there yet?” The answer, of course, is obvious. No. If we were there,
Superpower Coming Right Up
If you were approached by a superhero genie who could grant you one wish for any superpower, what would you ask for? It may seem like a strange question, but seriously, take a moment and think about it. What superpower
Love in the Trenches
Do you know of any amazing love stories? True stories. Stories that bring tears of compassion. Stories that reassure us that deep, undying love does exist. The kind that keep us hoping. The kind that show us how love should
The Pain of Goodbye
Have you ever had to say “goodbye” to someone you love? One of the hardest things in life is letting go of someone we truly care about. Whether they die, move away or move on, we’re left with an overwhelming
Try, Try Again And Again And Again
How many times have you heard the old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”? For me, way too many to count. It’s a favorite of most parents. And it’s said with the best of intentions. Wanting
Hindsight is 20/20
How often do you go to the eye doctor? When I had laser eye surgery, I was told to go at least once a year in order to keep the lifetime guarantee on the surgeon’s work. I committed to those
Chronicles of a Wind Chaser
Are you a storm chaser, aka “extreme weather adventurer”? Not many of us are. Although we love to see the footage others capture by pursuing tornadoes and hurricanes, very few of us, if any, have actually gotten in a car
The Truth About Strengths & Weaknesses
What’s your greatest strength? How about your greatest weakness? For some of us, we have answers ready to go. We know what we’re good at and can talk about these strengths at length. We also know areas that need improvement,
Life Is What Happens When…
What are you holding out for in life? Is there something you think will make life better? Something you think of and say, “Life will be better when…” When I get a new job. When I find a guy who
What’s More Valuable Than 15 Minutes?
What can you do in 15 minutes? Watch half a sitcom? Rush through the day’s happenings on Facebook and email? Remove your chipped toenail polish and apply two coats of a new color? Let’s be honest, 15 minutes isn’t a
We’re All In The Same Boat
Have you ever been on a sightseeing cruise? Many towns in Europe and the U.S. offer cruises up and down waterways to see their most famous and noteworthy landmarks. The boats look like multi-level, steel mini-ships, usually with an open
In Her Own Words… Madelyn
My name is Madelyn and this is my story… I grew up in the country with fields and farm lands surrounding our little neighborhood. The only commerce in our community was a gas station, a grain elevator and a small
When Does It Get Easier?
Do you ever feel like you struggle with the same things again and again? I do. I might even be good for two or three years, and then “boom” there it is. That same weakness flaring up again. Shouldn’t I
3 Steps to Wielding the Sword of Truth
Our culture is fixated on weapons. Sleek handguns or Rambo-esque semi-automatic rifles are in almost every TV show, video game and movie. Kids grow up knowing how to expertly wield a lightsaber just like the Jedi knights in Star Wars.
Open Door Policy–Burning Down The House
Have you ever seen a house or apartment building on fire? It’s a scary scene. Flames and black smoke spewing from the roof and windows. People jumping as they try to escape. Rescuers frantically searching for anyone caught inside. As
Open Door Policy–Next Please!
Do you ever feel stir crazy? Like you’ve been stuck in the house for so long because it’s dreadfully hot out, or raining for weeks, or cold as the dickens, and you just can’t watch one more re-run or one
In Her Own Words… Anonymous
This is my story… Do you remember the Talking Heads song “Once in a Lifetime”? David Byrne sings, “You may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?’” That’s what I woke up asking myself so many times. “How did
Happiness Isn’t Enough
What makes you happy? A special person in your life? A job well done and deserved recognition through a raise or promotion? A fabulous vacation? A cute new pair of shoes? Your child’s smile? A puppy who greets you at
It’s Not About Me – Living With Joy
When was the last time you encountered someone who believes the world revolves around them? They’re actually not that hard to find. We’re living during “Generation Me”, a generation of people who thinks life is all about “Me”. Regardless of
The Missing Puzzle Piece
What’s the hardest jigsaw puzzle you’ve ever done? Most people have worked on at least one puzzle in their life, even if it was a small puzzle with a few huge pieces of Winnie the Pooh or numbers 1-9 when
What Kind of Horse Are You?
Have you ever taken one of those personality tests that tells you all kinds of secret and obscure things about you that aren’t so secret or obscure? One of the most well-known is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator which aims to
In Her Own Words… Stacey
My name is Stacey and this is my story… Life was good. Loving husband. Two healthy, beautiful daughters–one was almost 4 years old, the other 1 ½. Caring, involved grandparents for my children. Thankfully, my husband’s job allowed me to
Satisfaction Guaranteed–No More Diets
Have you ever tried one of those diets where you can only eat one kind of food for a specific period of time? Like all protein, all fruits with a core, or all Twinkies (yes, that is an actual diet).