Sunday Inspiration: “The Work of Christmas”
When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the…
Read MoreThe Christmas Carol: Do We Believe in the Miracle of Transformation?
I love reading about the holiday rituals of my readers. If you follow my Facebook Page you’ve seen discussions about our different rituals there. If you’d like to share yours, please comment below so we can all enjoy them. One of my personal rituals developed on its own, the way the best ones often do.…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: To Give a Gift
“When you give a gift at Christmas and see the smile of the people you love reflected in their faces, that’s magical. It is not about spending a lot of money or buy a gift that is functional, it’s just a way to say I love you. Christmas is a symbol of union and joy,…
Read MoreThe Sweet Spot Between Pride and Guilt
Do you feel like you’ve accomplished enough in your life? Or do you feel as if you never quite got there, or will? I’ll confess I’m firmly in that second category. I don’t care about lists or number of books sold–at least not too much. I don’t care if every reader who picked up one…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Advent is possible
“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer What greatness are you looking forward to this Advent season?
Read MoreSocial Media, Evil or Blessing? How About Both?
I’ve spent the past week on social media. The Good: Why have I been on social media when there are presents to wrap and cookies to bake? The truth is an iPad is a great companion when you’re not feeling well enough to do much more than run your finger over a shiny screen with…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Feeling with the heart of another
Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another. -A Place for Mom As we move into the holiday season, I’m reflecting on what it means to be a spiritual and religious person. Perhaps most important of all? To be able to feel…
Read More2018 Reading Challenge: Reading While Cruising.
I returned home Thanksgiving afternoon after three weeks of traveling in Europe. Part of the trip was on the Mediterranean Ocean and for a while, on the Atlantic. We visited Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. A fabulous trip, and in addition to posting photos, I’ll tell you more. But one great “small world” moment? Author Jayne…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Travel opens your heart…
“Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind, and fills your life with stories to tell.” -Paula Bendfeldt Having just returned from a grand adventure to Spain, Morocco, Portugal, and the Canary Islands, I will vouch for the above quote 100%.
Read MoreLove at the Dollar General, A Thanksgiving wedding
While I travel this month I’ve selected some of my favorite past blogs to share with you. This one is from 2009 when our family celebrated a very special wedding at Thanksgiving time. I get weepy reading it. There’s an update at the end. They had been a couple for more than twenty years. Each…
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