This blog post is now available as a podcast! Click the image below if you’d prefer to listen: Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and […]
I’m always amazed at the lack of fear my kids have. They walk over logs high over creeks, my daughter rides horses, and my son pitches in baseball games. These things can stir up fears in me. Fear can be good. It can serve as an alarm bell that something is about to happen or […]
I’d like to think that at age 48 I’ve learned not to worry about pleasing others or to fear what other people think. But it turns out that I do. Certainly, I’ve grown in this in certain areas of my life. In other areas, I need to check myself. One area I’m particularly aware of […]
It usually happens during a week that I feel the most vulnerable and overwhelmed. My husband says something like, “I think we should have an open house after church on Sunday.” I’ll instantly think of all that will need to be done to make that happen. I admit I’ll also get the vulnerable feeling in […]
Do you ever feel like you’re free falling? If you’re a thrill seeker, maybe that doesn’t sound so bad. For me, the feeling doesn’t make me excited or happy. The feeling makes me want to run away, hide, or quit. If you are contemplating quitting, hiding, or running away, I want to enourage you today! […]
With the recent ice storm in the midwest, I was reminded of these amazing images I was able to capture a couple of years ago and the thoughts that they triggered. Join me this week on a post from my past? “Those ice cakes may have traveled all the way from South Dakota,” my dad said […]
I know a true warrior and her name is Kelly Balarie. She wars against fear and she also wars for encouragement in faith, hope, and love. I don’t know about you, but I need people like that on my side! That is why I want to introduce her and her new book, Fear Fighting, to you as she […]
“Those ice cakes may have traveled all the way from South Dakota,” my dad said as he clicked away on his camera. The Missouri River runs through my town carrying ice cakes with it toward the gulf. My dad, the kids and I explored it. We watched the cakes quickly race by while the stagnant water […]
I’ve been enjoying some early before-the-kids-wake-up bike rides this summer. My usual route takes me over a bridge which hovers over the enormous churning Missouri River. For me, riding over the Missouri River bridge by myself early in the morning is about as daring as life gets! My morning bike ride, when I take it, […]
The Magic House… A magnificent old house in St. Louis filled with everything a child (and adult) longs to play with but doesn’t realize yet. There is nothing commonplace or boring. Unique excitement awaits around every corner and in every nook and cranny. A three- story slide, a secret room behind a bookcase, a shadow room, a static electricity ball that […]
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We weave thick vines in and out of and around our circular, amateur base to create a decorative ball. Soon, solar lights will be added to make it a visible yard ornament for the dark fall and winter nights that stretch ahead of us. It seems to be an illustration of our friendship. By now, […]
Do you ever feel ashamed or disappointed that you have lacked faith or confidence in God…or even doubted Him? Our doubts, lack of trust, or weak faith may tempt us to think our faith isn’t strong enough. Let’s look at some scripture passages that might encourage us – even if our faith feels small today. […]