It was supposed to be a fun excursion to do research for my next book, but icy rain poured from the winter sky as our friends, Paul and Jacki, drove my husband and me through the Michigan countryside. Paul is a lifelong resident of Western Michigan and knows just about every back road and fun, out-of-the-way place on the map—and a few places that aren’t on the map. “I want to show you something,” … [Read more...]
What will you give up during Lent?
Hello. It's the first day of March and it's Ash Wednesday. This is a very important day to Christians, of course, because it's the first day of Lent. We have forty days (excluding Sundays) of "giving up" to represent how Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert where he overcame temptations from Satan. The ashes come from the burning of palm branches that were used on the previous Palm … [Read more...]
The Rules of Civility
I just finished reading the book "The Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles. One of my publisher's marketing associates had mentioned the book to me when several of us were at dinner one night at a conference. I wrote it down and ordered the book, but saved it for a time when I could read without too many interruptions. That time came this past Christmas when it rained for over a week. I curled up … [Read more...]
A New Year and a New Focus
The New Year is a time to make resolutions, to leave past failures behind and start fresh. It's rather like an author opening a new document and staring at the blank page. Excitement hums, anticipation whirls, and hope-filled ideas swim in the waters of grand dreams and endless possibilities. Yet, amid all that hope and excitement lies a twinge of fear, of uncertainty. What if this new idea isn't … [Read more...]
Overcoming in the Desert Seasons
Do you like deserts? Not desserts, mind you, those are much easier to love. But deserts. Specifically, the desert times of life. Those seasons in our earthly journey when our hearts feel dry and empty, purposeless. When our spirit can grow weary due, perhaps in part, to a prolonged illness or injury, to trials or troubled relationships, or maybe disappointment in a career. Those times when … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- …
- 57
- Next Page »