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 …
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 …
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.” …
True Liberty
This week was spring break at our house, so we took a couple days and drove up to Philadelphia. We did the standard tourist stops—Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the Liberty Bell. I was again reminded that the Liberty Bell is inscribed with Scripture (something that surely would never be allowed today). Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land …
To Know or Not to Know
A week or two ago my pastor talked about waiting on God. He mentioned those programs on computers when you download software, and a little box pops up on the screen and tells you exactly how much time you have left until the program is finished. He wondered how nice it would be if life had little notices like that. …
Genghis Khan, Softball and Seeking
This is what we call The Glare. When M steps up to the plate with The Glare, balls will fly, bases will be taken, runs will be scored. John’s gotten to where he can tell before she can how well she’ll hit the ball. He often videos her at-bats on his iPhone. One snippet we love to watch has him …
The High Cost of Unforgiveness
We visited the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History a few months ago. It happened to be the 60th anniversary of America’s decision to place Japanese-Americans in internment camps during World War II. There was a large board standing near the entrance to the exhibit with 5×7 posit-it notes and Sharpies nearby, inviting guests to share their thoughts on the decision. …
Blame God!
If tomorrow a brilliant scientist came up with a cure for all cancer, one that was quick, easy and universally affordable, would the media and general public say, “Wow, look what God has done! See what he has given us!” I strongly doubt it. No, we would be shouting, “Man has conquered disease! We rock!” Whenever something good happens, when …
Drama … for Better or Worse
Drama. In a house with three teen/preteen girls, drama is not usually a good thing. It’s something to be circumvented, squashed, avoided at all costs. You tell the kids it’s bad, and you try to teach them better ways to settle conflict. But the last month or so, drama has begun to mean something different to me. A writer friend …