I often expect to find joy here. Now. And then I’m reminded that joy is other-worldly. Oh, sure, we can catch glimpses of joy in our lives here on earth. As we love and are loved by others. And I always, always hear echoes of joy in the laughter of children. But the love and grace and forgiveness of God …
In Others’ Words: You’re Not Alone by Guest Blogger Varina Denman (Giveaway)
Today I welcome author and friend Varina Denman to the blog! Varina writes stories about the unique struggles women face. Her award-winning Mended Hearts series, which revolves around church hurt, is a compelling blend of women’s fiction and inspirational romance. A native Texan, Varina lives near Fort Worth with her husband and five mostly grown children. Connect with Varina on her website …
In Others’ Words: For the Love of Reading
“I don’t want to write a blog post. I want to read a book.” That’s what I said to my husband last night … right before I set my book aside and started working on this blog post. And that little bit of complaining sparked the theme of today’s blog: books and the love of reading. I’ve always loved to …
In Others’ Words: When Courage is the Testing Point
There are all sorts of lists of virtues — morally excellent behavior. Some lists are as short as four or seven virtues … some lists go on in alphabetical order. Honesty Kindness Humility Loyalty Selflessness Trustworthiness But when all is said in done — whether you limit your list of virtues to four, as the Greeks did — or expand it …
In Others’ Words: Brokenhearted
So my daughter, CJ, has been doing the graphics for my quotes the past six weeks or so. I find the photos, I find the quotes … and she puts the two together for me in a creative way. She enjoys being creative and she’s good at it. And letting her combine the quote and the graphic frees up my …
In Others’ Words: Who Do You Think You Are?
I first read this quote by C.S. Lewis on my writer-friend, Susan Tuttle’s, blog: Steps Into the Abundant Life. I tucked it away in my quote file thinking I’d highlight it one day … and today’s the day. I’ve wanted to be a lot of different things in my life. Older — as in “Oh, I can’t wait to be 10 …
In Others’ Words: Love is …
I’ve come across many a “Love is …” attempt to define an emotion that is, in essence, undefinable. Even the “Love is patient, love is kind … ” distillation so often read during wedding ceremonies, often stumps me before I get very far into the verses in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient … kind … it does not envy …
In Others’ Words: Letting Go
Growing up, I never quite conquered the monkey bars. Seriously, I’m pretty certain I never once made it all the way across from one end to the other. Sometimes I’d get to the middle and just hang there until I let go and dropped. But there’s the lesson hidden in monkey bars: Life is all about letting go. I’ve grieved …