Christmas music conjures up mixed emotions. For some, the sooner it starts playing, the better. For others, please don’t even bother. And then many of us fall somewhere in the middle. Personally, I enjoy and appreciate most Christmas music. I can listen to Harry Connick, Jr., Elvis, Mannheim Steamroller, Amy Grant, a good jazz ensemble, […]

It all started with a question. Dawn and I have been friends for several years, and we have a mutual “friend” in Chris Fabry (radio host on Moody). Chris often posts or poses questions in advance of his programs to kickstart things. This was the question: “What memories does the song I’ll Be Home For

I looked at the calendar this morning and suddenly it’s December 1st. How did that happen? This time of year has the ability to hijack our lives and turn us into someone we barely recognize.  There are school programs and live nativity, Christmas lights and parties with friends, extra food to make and mounds of

WARNING: Although a little sketchy in the details, no one was harmed in this story. This time of year usually means more time in the kitchen. You might find yourself hosting or taking a dish to share. Maybe you’re known for the “best” deviled eggs or the unmatched oyster dressing. Perhaps you claim no apron-donning

Well, it’s here. That time of year that brings mixed emotions for many of us; definitely for me. The flowers are long past their peak. The days are short. The landscape lacks color as the bleak and drab neutral colors invade our view. The chickens all but stop earning their keep. The mower has been

I received this picture from my Aunt Carol (actually, she’s not really my aunt, but you don’t want me to explain that today). I’ve been drawn back to it many times over the last several weeks. She lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and was evacuated due to the wildfires. The picture seemed to connect with

Halloween has come and gone and although the stores and many of our friends might tell us otherwise, there IS another holiday that appears on the calendar before Christmas. Thanksgiving might not be high on the favorites list for most people. There aren’t gifts involved as there generally would be with birthdays, Valentines Day, Mother’s

Saturday morning I was the opening speaker for a women’s fall retreat at a local church. I’ve been speaking informally for several years. But this? This was different. In July 2023 I traveled with my friend, Tobi Hough to Grand Rapids, Michigan for Speak Up. It was during our time at this conference that God

There’s a light mounted on the side of our barn; it’s motion-censored, which we originally thought was a great idea. When it’s dark at our house after the sunset, it’s REALLY dark (especially if the moon isn’t out). But I find myself frustrated. I can walk straight to the barn door from the house and

When I first attended Speak Up in July 2023, Rachel Wojo was clearly someone I needed to pay attention to. When I returned this summer, I was fortunate enough to meet and speak with her. She was leading a pre-conference session on AI which completely intimidated me. Something divine happens at Speak Up. These aren’t