Addicted to Giving
God has been kind to give me resources occasionally to give financially. But he also reminds me often that there are many other ways to give
The Mystery of Prayer
I believe in prayer. I say often that “the work of God is done on our knees—then we go find out what happened.” Yet to me prayer remains such a mystery. How in the world could the most high God who created it all invite me to talk with him, to make requests, to ask…
3 Way-of-Life Practices that Have Changed My Life
My husband has many way-of-life habits and practices that help him to stay focused, organized and productive. I have very few of those habits. But I do have some way-of-life practices that keep me following close and hard after Jesus. I would love to tell you these practices have been easy for me, but I’m…
Learning to Leverage Humble Pie
My closest friend in high school told me—on several occasions—that I was a “know-it-all.” Today the most common tagline I might be given is “she’s so real and vulnerable.” How did that happen? How did I go from an attitude of pride and I know what’s best to being willing to admit and even share…
My Generosity Assignment to the Homeless
Meet my unexpected friends: Theophilus I was in Washington, DC with a young friend, heading for the Air and Space Museum, but construction was concealing the entrance. So I approached an older man sitting on a concrete wall. “Do you know where the entrance is?” He told us where to go. As we were turning…
When You Love a Prodigal: Turning Curses into Blessings
Life is hard for a prodigal. Their lives are filled with fear, failure and frustration. Yes, much of it is of their own making. Those who love a prodigal are also filled with fear, failure and frustration. In their efforts to rescue and restore those loved wanderers, they practice tough love, they set strict boundaries,…
Hospitality for an Introvert
I love face-to-face conversations with friends—long-time friends or brand-new friends. I do not prefer large social gatherings, mingling with people I barely know and engaging in shallow conversations. I also love extended time alone with a good book. You guessed it. I am an introvert. A major part of my job, though, is people. Lots…
The Creator’s Beauty Revealed in His Daughters
I love sunrises, sunsets. The grandeur of mountains, the movement of the ocean, the starkness of the desert—all engage my senses. But nothing captures my heart like the beauty of God revealed in his created image bearers. I see God in my husband, my children, and now, especially, my grandchildren. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers reflect…
Gratitude for a Grievous Gift
My phone rang at 2 a.m., jarring me awake. I had been asleep for two hours in my hotel room, 1,000 miles from home. Not again, I thought. Which will this be—hospital or jail? It was jail. My son was calling to tell me it was all a mistake; he shouldn’t have been taken to…
Worthless Daughter
“Thank you, Mother, for raising a worthless daughter.” These words, part of a lament of a bride going to meet her husband for the first time, summed up the experience of women in China in the 1800’s, according to Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. In this book Lisa See brings to light the reality of…
Women Are Mission Critical
Each of us wants to believe that we matter. That we have something to offer. That our contributions to building God’s kingdom are needed and valuable. But as I travel the world speaking to women in ministry, I have found a substantial obstacle to seeing that happen. One might think the biggest barrier would be…