We are a sports loving household – okay, maybe not the entire household but half – okay, fine, it’s me, just me! In a house full of males, I am the most avid sports fan. I like pretty much any sport in season but my favorite sport of all sports is hockey, which is weird, because I grew up in east Texas in the 60’s and 70’s and the closest I ever got to a hockey game was watching the winter Olympics. Then I met and married my hockey-playing, Minnesota raised husband… Read More

Originally posted on Wholehearted Follower:
This past weekend I was privileged to speak and serve at the Hearts of Beauty Women’s retreat.  I was following a speaker/friend who shared how we two characterized our growing up years in two distinctive ways:  She grew up in a racially divided area in which she did not fit into either of the normal categories.  She called herself an outcast.  I, on the other hand, grew up in Southern California, “the melting pot.”  In our conversations, I told her that I understood her struggle, but that I never…

He nudged the fire once more as the blaze caught and began to put off welcome heat. Coaxing flames to life was not something The Leader had to do, He could have just looked at the pile and instantly had a fire large enough to roast an ox. But there was something about coaxing things along that excited Him. Noting the rapidly rising sun it was time to wake her up… It came so softly The Warrior thought she must have dreamt hearing her name on the wind against her cheek. Half… Read More

The last bit of light clung to the landscape. Soon all would be bathed in the glimmering light of a crescent moon which seemed intent on outshining the sun. A Warrior paused in her stirring on the ground. She knew moments like that; where the sun bade a spectacular farewell and the moon ushered in quiet and peace were not to be wasted. Mists appeared in the tree line, insulating the land much as a shawl would insulate a person. Shadows grew longer and the Warrior began gathering herself again as a… Read More

I am sure you have heard this saying: “It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know.”  Most of the time when we hear that saying we think of what someone has pulled off or somehow managed to do that is usually much harder to accomplish. Something that most are not allowed, or something they got at a great discount.  We see that knowing certain people gives you certain advantages in life.    And it is true… but do we really realize WHO we know?  When we think of the situations we deal… Read More

I remember uttering the words, “I have no use for these people!”  I was angry about the foreign men lined up on the street waiting for work.  Can you imagine the arrogance?   I don’t even remember why this so infuriated me, but I do remember that as the words left my mouth, the Holy Spirit spoke back to me and said, “I do.” In that moment, though I wasn’t ready to admit it, the Holy Spirit began to renew my mind and give life to my hardened heart. I had my… Read More

Originally posted on Wholehearted Follower:
Give the Holy Spirit control.  What?! Willingly give up control??!!  Yes, He is trustworthy, I promise.  Ask Him to control your mind, to make your heart like His own and to help you to see people and situations the same way He does. If you’re anything like me, you will expect to see these changes immediately and be disappointed or frustrated or both. I really haven’t caught on to that patience thing…😁. But if you will ask and keep on asking, one day you will find yourself…

The other night I was privileged to go to “Founder’s Week” at Moody Church in Chicago. A band called “Shane and Shane” was there and sang many hymns. It was an endearing atmosphere to see, a group of young and old singing out to the One true King. During the song “Jesus Paid it All”, my heart was gripped as I looked down from where I was sitting and saw a woman around 80 years old passionately raising her hands and crying to the Lord. Though I can’t say for sure the reason her tears were… Read More