Recent Blog Posts

Ponderings on Ministry

Robert Morris, founding senior pastor of Gateway Church, writes in his book, Truly Free, “God has called you into a ministry that’s beyond your own strength. You may not think you have a ministry beyond yourself, but you do.” I’ve long believed that, as Christians, we all have a ministry …

Read Post

Dead Wake

The sinking of the Lusitania was one of the incidents that helped propel the United States into World War I. A luxury liner loaded with civilians sunk by a German submarine. In Dead Wake, Erik Larson tells the story of the ship, the crew, and the passengers of the greyhound …

Read Post

Character Testing

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.  Psalm 105:19 (NLT) In the Old Testament, God tested Joseph. A lot. Mistreated by his brothers. Sold into slavery. Falsely accused of rape. Thrown into prison. Forgotten by those he helped. Did you ever wonder why Joseph …

Read Post

The Myth of Multitasking

When I worked in public service and in ministry, especially involved in hiring, it seemed every job description called for the ability to multitask. And every candidate listed multitasking as one of their strengths if not their greatest strength. Watching how others and I performed our job functions over the last …

Read Post

Giveaway & Vacation

The winner of the book giveaway from last week — Debbie Lynn Costello’s Sword of Forgiveness — is Angi Griffis. I am on vacation this week. I’ll be back on June 17th when I’ll share my thoughts on multitasking.

Read Post

A Journey Through History

Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was about eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She …

Read Post

Managing Anger

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Psalm 4:4 (NLT) Sometimes I think that if I followed these instructions, I’d be going to bed early every night (probably before the sun set). And I wouldn’t be talking much. Dealing with anger and irritability has plagued …

Read Post

A Dangerous Place

I’ve shared that among my favorite authors is Jacqueline Winspear and her Maisie Dobbs series. So it was with great anticipation I opened Winspear’s newest novel, #11 in the series, A Dangerous Place. My first reaction—now for something completely different… The beginning feels like a cheat at first read. Several …

Read Post

Discipline is Painful

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) emphasis added We’ve all been disciplined for much of our lives. Our parents disciplined us, sometimes with words, and sometimes …

Read Post

Lessons of Life

This is Pillar 8, the last pillar in this series on the Writing Life. Below I share three of the lessons of life I’ve learned pursuing this dream and calling. I’ve learned so much more but sharing them would require a book. Lesson 1 Life Isn’t Fair  Or, perhaps more …

Read Post