My pastor told me a story about a man he knew who had been a paratrooper in WWII. Before they dropped into France, the paratroopers were given the chance to pick whatever weapons they wanted, whatever they could carry, from the warehouse. This man, Perry, picked one gun with a spare clip. Most of the...

Please join me at the Internet Café this morning to read about the cobbled-together mess I make of my worship. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. ~Psalm 22:3 (NLT) Most Christians would agree: Praise is important. A critical part of worship, of living for God. I love to worship Him, talk about what...

This post is being featured today at the Internet Café. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man...

The Festival of Faith and Writing just ended, and I’m trying to catch my breath before driving home in the morning. It will take some time to see what comes out of all that I took in. And, honestly, there’s no guarantee that I will every again have another profound thought (especially given how tired...

I like to think of myself as a pretty strong Christian, so why do I shy away from anything labeled that way? I love contemporary Christian music, but as soon as someone applies that term to a book, I kind of grimace. (If you feel the need to pray for me as a result of...

My husband was raised Catholic. Years ago, shortly after my husband and I started attending our Pentecostal-ish church, someone asked him what he was giving up for Lent. Without missing a beat, he said, “The Catholic church!” He said that — and I relate the story now — not to be mean. Truly, we don’t have...

I’m not one who likes to go along with the crowd. And I’m certainly not someone who has the staying power or discipline needed to stick with one thing for a long period of time. (My mom used to say that as much as I like to change things, like the colors of my rooms,...

So happy to welcome Terri DeVries, my good friend and a talented writer, to my blog! You can read more of her journey here. I’m so sorry that she’s having to learn to walk this new path, but I’m so grateful that she shares her heart with us as she walks. The trim white houses...

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. Revelations 21:5 What keeps us from starting is often this common fear: What if I mess everything up? Join me at the Internet Café this morning to give thanks to the Creator for the jumbo boxes of 64 crayons with built-in sharpeners.

Creating — like praying — can be a solitary pursuit. But it comforts me to know that I’m not alone in my efforts. Every Saturday, I’ll post a short writing prompt. If you don’t already keep a prayer journal, maybe it’s time to start one. And if you already journal, will you consider journaling alongside me...