At the writers’ conference I attended in September, I was given a copy of a new version of the Bible entitled The Voice. It’s a completely different type of “translation,” and I imagine there will be those who love it and those who hate it. For books that tell stories and contain a lot of action, the text is almost …
Do A Little Shopping, Do A Little Good
We can’t solve all of the world’s problems, but we can do something. And doing something–even just a tiny something– will always be better than doing nothing. If you live in the metro DC area, take some time on Saturday morning (November 8) and show up at the “Do a Little Good – Holiday Shop.” It will be held at First Alliance …
Memorable Day 2: New Beginnings, Great Extremes
On December 22, 1998, we signed the closing papers for the house we now live in. We’d built what we thought would be the house we’d grow old in down in Atlanta. But then John accepted a transfer to the DC bureau of CNN, so we left everything we’d grow accustomed to, all our friends, the church we’d been part …
“But We Have the Best Doctors in the Whole World!”
I’ve been to two funerals in the last month. I didn’t know either of the deceased. Both were family of friends of mine. Regardless, funerals cause you to consider death, and life, and I naturally thought about mine. I think most people have the same “most important days”—weddings, children’s births, etc. But I want to share some of my most …
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 …
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 …
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 …
It’s Literally the Beginning of the End of the World
It’s finally happened. Merriam-Webster, Macmillan Dictionary, and Google have done it. Even the Cambridge Dictionary and the revered Oxford English Dictionary have done it. Done what? All these dictionaries have said that literally no longer has to mean “used for showing that what you are saying is really true and is not just an impressive way of describing something.” …
But We’ve Always Done It That Way…
Emma told me yesterday about a conversation she had with her Korean friend about Groundhog Day. Emma: Maybe it will be cloudy tomorrow and spring will come. Friend: What are you talking about? Emma: Well, in American we have a tradition where this one particular groundhog determines the weather for the next six weeks. Friend: Why? Emma: I don’t know …