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 …
Memorable Day #4: Tears in Sarajevo
In the summer of 1997, John and I went to Bosnia with a group called Hoops for Hope. The war had been over for only a year and a half, and the city was still heavily scarred. Running water was turned on for only a couple hours a day, so the residents collected it in 2-liter bottles and stashed it …
Defending Catelynn
I cannot believe I am going to do this. I am going to defend a Teen Mom. You know, not a normal teen mom, an MTV Teen Mom. I don’t follow this show, although I’ve watched a few episodes. But this story has blown up all over the internet, and I heard about it. So here it is: In 2009, Catelynn …
Happy New Year!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
“We Three Kings Of Orient Are?”
When Jesus was born, he was visited first by shepherds, and then by what have become known as the “Three Kings.” These men brought gifts to the baby: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, the Bible never says there were three, and they are never identified as kings. It has been assumed the since there were three gifts, there must have …
Away in a Manger?
Every child who has gone to Sunday school in December knows the traditional Christmas story: Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem just in time for Mary to give birth to the baby Jesus. A heartless innkeeper turns away the pregnant woman and her apparent husband, who are then forced to seek refuge in a stable or even a cave. Luke …
Why Would You Want to Do That?
A case in Qatar this week made international headlines. An American couple of Asian descent has just been released after being trapped in the tiny middle-eastern country of Qatar for almost two years. In 2012, the Huangs were relocated to Doha, the capital of Qatar, by his employer to work on a major infrastructure project for the 2022 World Cup. …
Memorable Day #3: Bringing Them Home
Thirteen years ago yesterday we brought home Dara and Johnny. While we spent three weeks in Kazakhstan adopting Mira, we were gone only ten days start to finish with these two. We arrived home around 6pm the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. John’s dad brought Emma and Mira to the airport, and several of our friends were waiting at our house to greet …
Buy Her Bag, Not Her Body
I wanted to share some photos from the Do A Little Good shopping day last weekend. There were so many wonderful products, all supporting survivors of trafficking, enabling families to escape debt bondage and poverty, and creating sustainable businesses so women and families aren’t dependent on charity. There were myriad purses and satchels, gorgeous jewelry, cute children’s clothing, and scarves …
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 …