Holidays
How to Kick Resentment Out the Door
How many times have you harbored resentment thinking it was acceptable because you were internalizing it, only to pay for it later with mental and emotional exhaustion?
Lent
The #1 Most Powerful Tip Needed to Celebrate Lent
Celebrate Lent? Really? I think there’s something we often miss during times of sadness, anxiety, grief, or despair. And Lent holds the key to making it through these times. I don’t like doom and gloom. Yet, the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter focuses on repentance, fasting, reflection,
Advent
Get THIS down and Christmas will be perfect
I’ve lived for a long time. So have you. Christmas hasn’t always been jolly, has it? But it started that way. I mean, who plans to get pregnant without a father and explains it with an impossible story? Who suddenly finds out that his betrothed is pregnant by someone else
Fall
How to make autumn cozy
This week, after a full day, I meandered into Trader Joes to pick up some of their autumn specialty items. You know, the Pumpkin Kringle that I freeze for our fall, family gatherings and the Pumpkin Ravioli that ALWAYS disappears before I can stock up on it. After choosing a
Advent
God Throws a Party to Celebrate You!
Every December we celebrate faith, family, and friends with Christmas carols, feasting, sparkling lights, and the traditional Christmas pageant featuring shepherds, Joseph and Mary, the angels singing, and, of course, baby Jesus. It’s a big deal. And though we focus on the incarnation—God clothing Himself in flesh and bone and
Advent
How to let go and let God be God in your life
I may know a lot about my faith, but do I really know how to let go and let God control my future? Do you? Last weekend I slipped away for a getaway with some of my high school girlfriends. You can imagine how much there is to talk about
Advent
9 ways to create a meaningful, simple Christmas
The other morning one of my little grandsons presented me with his Christmas list along with a toy catalog that he had used to circle everything he wanted for Christmas. He was super cute. Of course, I immediately went into grandma mode and wanted to buy him EVERYTHING! It took
Holidays
Crazy holiday family dynamics? You’ve got this, Girl!
It’s that season again. The holidays crowded with family, friends, yummy food, laughter, fantastic conversation, Pinterest-styled homes, and the warm-fuzzies of loving relationships. WAIT? What…? What about the grandkids who would rather spend their time engaging with their cell phones than with you? Or your adult children who don’t want
Easter
Redemption Missiles
When I was growing up my mom used to collect Blue Chip Stamps whenever she bought groceries. Then she’d paste them in a little Blue Chip Stamp booklet and redeem them for merchandise like fancy vases she’d use for gift giving. I even got a few booklets of Blue Chip
Advent
Do You Need a Christmas Manifesto?
This Christmas season is different because I retired from full-time ministry three months ago. I kind of thought I’d have more time for reading, pondering and celebrating. I have… some. But not as much as I’d like. Mixed in with this is the amount of people I’ve encountered who feel