By the Waters of Kadesh is now in Kindle! In celebration, I’ve uploaded the first three chapters on my website. Read without risk! Kadesh is the sequel to In the Shadow of Sinai, but you don’t have to have read Sinai to enjoy Kadesh. It starts just after the Israelites have escaped Egypt and spent the first year of …
Anger or Hubris? You Decide
In Numbers 20, Moses is commanded by God to speak to the rock and bring forth water for the thirsty people of Israel at he end of their forty years of wandering. But he doesn’t speak to it, he strikes it. And for that offense, both he and Aaron are barred from entering the Promised Land with their people. There …
Eat, Drink and Be Merry … in Canaan?
Last July, a team of American and Israelis researchers made a fascinating discovery. They liked to party in Canaan. The team was digging in the ruins of a northern Canaanite city that dates back to approximately 1700 B.C. As they dug, they uncovered a jug approximately three feet long. They christened the jug “Bessie.” Dr. Cline, chair of GW’s Department of Classical and …
The Power of Story-Telling
Everyone loves stories. Jesus told stories, and the people listened. They loved and remembered them. Oral cultures in many parts of the world rely almost exclusively on stories in communicating and teaching. Missionaries have rediscovered the effectiveness of using Bible stories. Conveying the truths of Scripture in story form makes a lasting impression. I write for a ministry called Christ …
“You May Call it Nonsense If You Like”
My daughter (twelve years old) was called in for counseling at school this week, along with several of her friends. Apparently one of them wasn’t getting along with the others, and went to the counselor, and she decided to intervene. While I appreciate the good intentions of the counselor, what I didn’t like was the fact I wasn’t even informed, …
Teaching Kids to Tame the Tongue
This week, my middle-school children faced some disturbing news about one of the adults in their life. It involved a teacher, and the news came via a recorded phone call from the principal about an hour after school. Within moments, literally, the news went viral on any and all social networks. (And it amazes me how many there are—far more …
Join Me on a New Adventure!
This year I’m embarking on a new adventure with some very dear friends, and a couple new ones. Tanya and Jennifer are fellow writers for Christ to the World Ministries, a group that writes dramas that are then translated and broadcast to 32 countries around the world. Eileen, Diana and Delia are friends of friends! Together we are starting a …
Of Shepherds and Kings
This post originally appeared December 23 when I guest-posted on fellow novelist Ginger Solomon’s blog A Bed of Roses … Thorns Included. I am reprinting it here. Be sure to visit Ginger’s blog for many more insightful posts on Christian life. My heater died yesterday (Thursday). The bad news is, they can’t get a new part until Monday, and it’s …
One in Six – We Can Change That Number
Our family often goes to lunch after church on Sunday, but this week we will staying after service and buying slices of pizza for $2 each. We’ll probably eat standing up and chatting with others around us, and all there will be to drink will be water. Sound appetizing? The reason is every three months or so the children host a …
In Defense of Monogamy
This August my husband and I celebrated (OK – maybe that’s a strong word) 30 years of marriage. “Celebrating” was difficult since we were at the beach with our four children and a few other guests. But I digress. We have been married for 30 years and we do have many reasons to celebrate, though we may not do it …