Strolling through the Met, I could barely see through my tears. Because how can I look at the delicate brush strokes, specific words painted thousands of years ago by Egyptian artists, the individual strokes evident, and not think about the person who sat there recording those ideas? Laboring to use his abilities and make something...

Pay attention. That seems to be what God is telling me. On New Year’s Eve afternoon, I posted a Facebook status that included these words: … But you know what? It’s all OK. Looking forward to whatever this year has to offer — and especially whatever God has to offer — and thankful that, whatever...

The candles flickered on the communion table, and the silence of the people in the room reflected the holiness of the moment. After washing down the slightly stale cracker fragment with the blackberry wine, I stood off to the side, arms around my three children, watching my husband kneel in front of the altar. Tears...

Congrats, Lisa Ransom Smith! You won Monday’s giveaway (I’m a little behind schedule). You can choose between these two prizes: Matt Appling’s fabulous book, Life After Art, or a Create Every Day mini journal. I still haven’t heard from tyroper, who won a giveaway last week (you entered just by subscribing to my blog). I need your address and...

Feeling amazed. Found the journal entry from the day I started praying for the woman who would eventually buy my old house (the story that is the premise for my whole book). On 9/29/07, four months after putting our house on the market, I wrote these words: If it means we have to wait, we...

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 If you’re anything like me, sometimes you look at the people around you — pastors, Bible study leaders, friends who faithfully have 5 am quiet time — and feel absolutely, positively certain that you don’t measure up. It’s like looking at...

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 If you’re anything like me, sometimes you look at the people around you — pastors, Bible study leaders, friends who faithfully have 5 am quiet time — and feel absolutely, positively certain that you don’t measure up. It’s like looking at...

In spite of the fact that we know Christmas isn’t about gifts, we still give. There are so many good ways to give charitably. To find ways to help those who need help, those who are alone, those who are struggling. But if you’re like most of us, you’ll still give gifts to your family...

The winner of this week’s giveaway is Kerry Dunham, who just so happens to be my sister and just so happens to live next door. When my husband saw her name on the slip of paper he drew, he said, “No, we have to put it back.” But that wouldn’t be very nice. And I...

The winner of this week’s giveaway is Kerry Dunham, who just so happens to be my sister and just so happens to live next door. When my husband saw her name on the slip of paper he drew, he said, “No, we have to put it back.” But that wouldn’t be very nice. And I...