I sleep with the window open because the cool breeze is irresistible. The days have been beautiful here, not too cold or too hot, and it’s been a wonderful spring to enjoy. And I’ve woken up every morning this past week to a symphony of birds singing–chirping and tweeting and talking to each other. And while they’re […]
When You’re in Need of a Book to Change Your Life
I want to write a book someday. And if there’s one thing I know about becoming an author, whatever I write needs to matter—it needs to be capable of changing a life. And there are many books that have done that for me–books that left me changed. Books that have a message that stays with me long […]
How the Invisible Becomes Visible Again {Naming the Gifts and Giving Thanks}
I’m leading a women’s discipleship group through a 6-week intensive–reading God’s Word and journaling daily, memorizing scripture, serving others and reading Ann‘s book, One Thousand Gifts. And while they read, I re-read it all over again. It’s been over a year and a half since I first read her scratched-out words, and they are still changing […]
For When You Need to Quit Performing to Earn God’s Love and Blessing :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 2}
 I want to live a life that is blessed, and I think most of you do too. And I’m thankful that the blessings God gives are not dependent upon our performance. His love for us never changes, no matter what we do. But unfortunately, some well-meaning people get the idea that if they could BE more […]
For When You Want to Know How to Really Teach :: Sermon On the Mount {Week 1}
Our school year is winding down and I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned about myself and my kids, by being their teacher! And while I’m not a teacher by trade, as a nurse I do a lot of patient education and am very used to helping others learn. Teaching my own children has been so very […]
You Can’t Fail if You Don’t Quit {Memorizing the Sermon on the Mount}
I’m starting something new this week, and I really want to share it with you. But I’m a bit afraid–because (to be honest) I’m not sure I can do it. And I just may fail … because I’ve failed before. Remember a while back I shared some goals, and invited you to join along in memorizing Romans 8? Well, […]
She Speaks 2012 and The Counting On…of the Gifts that Never End
I’m sure it’s no surprise to you, that up ’til now, I hadn’t considered myself a writer. In fact I celebrated when my last college English class ended, thankful that I’d never have to write a paper again. But in the process of blogging in this space I am becoming a writer. In fact I […]
A Sacrifice of Thanks {Giving Thanks Even When You Don’t Feel It}
It’s another Monday morning and I awake to the messes. Why is it that they never end? The laundry begs my company. The beds are unmade. Clothes are strewn on the floor. The kids are still eating breakfast, and we are late starting our day. There are multitudes of messes, with toys strewn throughout the […]
Gratitude in Grief {When Giving Thanks Brings Joy}
Is it possible to have gratitude in grief? I watch them enter with grace and take their seat in the front row: the son and daughter and husband who miss her so. The granddaughter and grandson. The sister and great-grandchildren, and all the family and friends–all of them here to remember. I see the flowers […]
Giving Thanks Amidst the Crowd
I hear the crowd, and the complaining of discontented hearts. I listen to the grumbling of their discouraged souls. And I wish for them, the joy that comes in giving thanks from a grateful heart. I wish for them to know the freedom that is found in the discipline of gratitude. And although there is definite disappointment in […]
