Several weeks ago, I heard a story on the evening news that seemed unbelievable. Even the seasoned anchorman shook his head at the end of the segment before the station cut to commercial. Apparently a school system in Wausau, Wisconsin decided to deal with the Christmas “dilemma” a bit differently this year. District officials issued […]
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Category Archives: 2013Like many of you, my life seems to get busier and busier this time of year. As much as I try to simplify, the schedule and lists of “to do’s” multiply. Between the regular calendar of events, special activities are getting added to the agenda. Many of these are festive happenings, including pre-holiday parties so […] Over the years, much emphasis has been given to the wonderful description of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. This certainly is one of my favorite portions of the Bible, and it has provided inspiration for my marriage and my parenting. But lately I’ve been intrigued by another aspect of this celebrated section of Scripture: […] The cable college package has been subscribed to, and other football fans seem to be as excited as we are that fall is just around the corner. Another season of “new beginnings” awaits, and that’s the inspiration for this month’s devotion which we hope will encourage you in the days ahead: Two are better than […] Looking back, the white bread, imitation mayo, and thin-sliced deli meat held little nutritional value-but what Grandma Bonnie whipped up each time we stopped by for a visit was priceless. Her arthritic hands slapped together sandwiches better than anyone, and, while we ate, we also laughed as she told stories of the old days or […] Gershwin got it right when he wrote the lyrics for his famous spiritual: “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” There really is something remarkable about this season, even for those of us that still have work to accomplish. Somehow life seems brighter thanks to longer days and the brilliant rays of our sun. Warmer waters […] Years ago, my husband and I had a long list of names we’d compiled just before our first son was born. We wanted a strong name-something with meaning. Like so many parents before us, we hoped to provide our child with a title that not only fit him but also one he’d grow to live […] The weather outside my window today looks nothing like spring, but that doesn’t deter an industrious bird from tucking twigs into a niche under the eaves. She flutters back and forth-tugging and twisting her building materials. As I curiously watch her efforts at nest construction, I am reminded of a poignant verse from the Proverbs: […] There’s nothing like loss to make you reflect on what you actually once had. I suffered a personal one recently-the kind you only speak about with close friends and loved ones. Things can be replaced, but people cannot. The pain each of us suffers when we undergo this kind of loss is real, and it’s […] I like the notion of citizenship. There is something comforting about the concept of belonging. Citizenship makes us part of a much bigger family, and there’s a safety in being part of a group-a sense of security in knowing that we’re not alone in this world. God likes the idea of citizenship, too. In fact, […] |