A Tale of Two Tongues
For the most part, Tess is very well-behaved and has good manners. But, I have to admit, when it comes to food, all bets are off. Just the other day, I had my dinner plate sitting in my lap. I turned to say something to Jason, and when I turned back, I spied a certain tongue licking at my food. I promptly corrected her, but it was difficult since Jason was laughing at her antics. In his best "Tess impression," he said, "But Mommy, you know my tongue has a mind of its own." And suddenly, there was a heavenly thump in the back of my head. How often does my tongue have a mind of its own?
Finding God’s Rhythm in Ministry
I sat on the edge of my bed this morning, staring at my planner with its mile-long to-do list. Bible study to prepare, blog posts to write, ladies' retreat sessions to plan, Holiday Bible Club to coordinate, missionary reports due... My heart ached with the weight of it all while my body protested with its usual chorus of pain.
"Lord," I whispered, "I don't think I can do this anymore."
Have you felt caught between these two realities? On one side, there's the undeniable truth that souls hang in the balance—real people who will spend eternity somewhere. On the other, there are the physical, emotional, and spiritual limitations of our humanity.
This tension is as old as ministry itself.
A Captive Audience
I'll never forget the first time I had to give a gospel presentation here in Wales. My hands trembled as I rearranged my notes, watching people file into the tiny community hall. I'd been looking forward to and dreading this day for weeks. Back in the States, I'd spoken to groups of ladies regularly, but here in this unfamiliar land, I felt painfully inadequate.
"Lord," I whispered, "I'm trapped. I can't back out now."
As I looked around the room at the expectant faces, a strange thought struck me. Was I trapped in this situation... or were they trapped with me?
That's when I remembered the Apostle Paul.
Picture this: Paul, the mighty missionary, chained to Roman guards day and night. Talk about being trapped!
Just Turn the Page
I recently finished the rough draft of my newest Christian fantasy novel—a milestone worth celebrating, especially considering the brain fog I often battle. As I worked through the manuscript, I became increasingly aware of one particular writing technique that keeps readers engaged: the chapter-ending hook.
You know what I'm talking about. That dramatic moment where the protagonist discovers something shocking, finds himself in peril, or makes a heart-stopping decision... and then—the chapter ends. Just like that!
It's delightfully devious, really. I've deliberately placed my readers in emotional suspense. Sometimes they're worried for a character's safety. Other times, they're frustrated by a character's poor choice. Occasionally, they're heartbroken by an unexpected betrayal. But regardless of the emotion, the effect is the same. They simply must turn the page to discover what happens next.
Hidden in Plain Sight
Several months ago, I wrote a devotion about the disappearance of Tess' beloved toy, Robby the Robot. The poor pup was beside herself with worry over her missing companion, and despite our thorough searches, Robby remained elusive. We eventually concluded she must have taken it outside and lost it in the bushes and bramble.
A couple of days ago, I was sitting in the dining room when Tess came in and began pawing frantically under the bookshelf. She stretched and reached as if trying desperately to recover something trapped beneath. My first thought? Kibble. If you've ever seen a terrier play with a treat-dispensing toy, you know food goes flying in all directions.
I grabbed my duster with the extended handle and poked under the bookshelf. Yes, there was kibble under there, but that wasn't all.