Because of Grace we Press On
Traci opens the curtain on her own convictions about church and the factors that grew her faith. The richness of the book is enhanced by the personal life stories of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Shakespeare said, “To thine own self be true.” What happens when you are willing to do that? I’m not sure why this memory came back to me today, but about six years ago we went out riding with our motorcycle friends on a long, leisurely, calm, dry ride to dinner. Now flip what I just described 180 degrees and you will know what the trip home was like. It was none of the above. The moment we stopped on the driveway in front of the garage I jumped off the …
When I was a teenager who knew everything, adults who seemed ancient to me at age 55 or 60 kept talking about how tough marriage was. When I knew everything, I wondered why these people stayed married then. After all – if it’s so hard, just make it easy and don’t stay married. Go get a life that’s easy. That’s what I thought when I knew everything. After 48 years of marriage, and now well over the age of 60 myself, I still don’t know everything. But there are a …
When is Christmas? Oh, I know it’s on December 25th. I know it’s soon, but when is it Christmas for you? I read an article awhile back that started out something like this. “There’s an old saying that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. I disagree with that … and then the author goes on to explain her point.” The truth is, that old saying is a direct quote from Jesus as written in the book of Acts 20:35. It is more blessed to give than to receive, and deep in our hearts …
Yesterday was ThanksgivingLiving Day. I’ve been thinking ….. We can give thanks or we can live thanks. We can celebrate Thanksgiving once a year or we can add value to every day by living with an attitude of gratitude. ThanksLiving. I know …. finding ways to be thankful even when we have to drag in the excavation crew to clear away the crud to shine a light on fresh perspective. It’s possible with the right tools. Here’s one of them. Ready crew? Have you ever had a perplexing decision to …
When I was in high school the musical group Three Dog Night sang from every juke box in the country convincing us that, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” If you know the lyrics, you will remember that life doesn’t get any better with two because something bad divides them. Who listens to all that repetitious dark agony? I mean – on purpose? Apparently, I did, since that’s the very first thing that popped into my mind when I heard the Five-Minute Friday writing prompt for this …
“It’s hard being so far away when things like this happen.” Those words have been on repeat this last week. When someone we love is thousands of miles away and we can’t go to them, helplessness is its own form of trauma. Waiting through a medical procedure, wondering but hoping the prognosis isn’t as bad as once thought. Standing by while decisions are made about ‘what happens now’. Fearing the outcome of attempts at reconciliation. I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty powerless when I want to do …
A few weeks ago, while hiking a trail in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan, I noticed how effortlessly our group traversed the winding paths over rocks, under broken branches, through groves of trees, and along the water’s edge. What would have been a challenging route a hundred years ago, today required little more than the ability to walk upright. As the trails twisted left or right, signs along the way pointed toward destinations of our choosing: South Shore, North Trail, Parking Lot I noticed as we trudged through wooded …
Once Upon a time – and the story has a beginning. Do you ever wish for a place to let down all your defenses, a place where every curtain could be opened, a place where you could say whatever is on your mind, a place to be at peace? Where is that place for you? Where would you begin to pour out the contents of your soul to someone who listens at heart level? Walking the trail in my neighborhood is a lovely, tranquil escape. It winds four miles alongside the Thornapple river …
Three years ago, I was inspired! I shared dinner around the table with a children’s book author. I know. You’re ready to click ‘done’ and move on. I hear you. “So, what?” you ask. Stay with me here because I promise you, there is something remarkable about author, Lori Hastings. Can I have just 90 seconds of your time? Lori has authored three books for children, each of them tells a poignant story on topics pre-school and elementary school age kids might struggle with. Blue Bear with No Hair is …