What’s in a name? Late in the year of 1974, a little girl was born a few weeks earlier than expected.  She was due in December but arrived mid-November. Her name had been decided upon weeks before – “Hollyâ€â€”appropriate for a December baby and the Christmas season. No matter that she was born before […]
Glitter. When I cleaned the church, I used to grumble about the Sunday School teachers who used it. Â It was next to impossible to get the stuff out of seat cushions and carpets. Glitter leaves a maddening tell-tale trail. My mother-in-law once gave her youngest grandchildren a whole bottle of glitter for their crafty creations. […]
While searching through some of my old notes, I found this article pasted in one of my notebooks from way back in 1990: “Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. Â We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. Â We are traveling by train. Â Out of the windows we drink in […]
As the season of thankfulness approaches, a recent study has me grateful for the things I learned as a child. Â I am grateful for God’s grace in drawing me to Himself as a child; I placed my faith and trust in Christ early and became a follower of Christ. Â How grateful I am for parents […]
AÂ missionary friend, in doing her part to share the 7th video exposing Planned Parenthood (http://adflegal.org/detailspages/blog-details/allianceedge/2015/08/19/when-a-baby’s-heart-beats-the-heart-stopping-testimony-from-the-7th-planned-parenthood-video), quoted Galatians 6:9a, Â “Let us not be weary in well-doing…” I must admit I do feel quite weary these days. Â People refuse to see evil exposed. Â They refuse to see how they are destroying themselves. Â They refuse to learn from […]
As a young girl, I tapped my toe and laughed as three guys with guitars and banjos belted out the song, “Excuses†in our small church. The chorus went like this: Excuses, excuses, you’ll hear them every day. And the Devil he’ll supply them, if the church you stay away. When people come to know the […]
You’ve probably seen them. The following quotes seem to be very popular on social media memes these days: “I’ve been stabbed in the back by those I needed most. I’ve been lied to by those I love and I have felt alone when I couldn’t afford to be. At the end of the day, I […]
Last fall I planted tulips around the church sign and anticipated how beautiful they’d look in the spring. Through the long winter, I wondered at times if I’d planted them deep enough. Would they make it? In the early days of spring, I was delighted to see them poking through the cold dirt and receding […]
Recent events can overwhelm the spirit. Tragic accidents, persecution of Christians, earthquakes, riots, Supreme Court hearings, people pushing the boundaries in every direction…  I can’t help but feel as though a tidal wave is on the horizon and we’re busy building sandcastles on the beach.  What would God have me do?  Fighting my own […]
It’s spring! I love seeing the grass turn green. Most of all I enjoy watching spring flowers pop up and display their bright colors in stark contrast to the dead leaves and grasses around them. While driving down the road, have you ever noticed daffodils growing in strange places?   I used to walk in the […]