the writing life
So, the kids are out of school, we had houseguests for a week, the weather's getting warmer, I took a part-time job for just a few hours a week. I have endless excuses as to [...]
The best stay-cation
I'm going to be on Moody Radio today (WMBI 90.1 in Chicago, wmbi.org on-line) at 3:45 p.m. today talking about Sabbath stay-cation, the topic of this month's newsletter. I hope you'll tune in! Here's the newsletter in [...]
A Sanctuary in Time
There are certain places that feel sacred to me—the chapel where I was married, the lake at sunset, my garden when everything is in bloom. God made us so intricately. When we come into a [...]
The times are a changin’
For the last several years, I have had the privilege of serving as one of a dozen or so "regular contributors" to Today's Christian Woman magazine. I've written dozens of articles for them, and built friendships [...]
Come to breakfast!
Just wanted to invite any of you in the Chicago area to a women's breakfast at Willow Creek Community church this Saturday, May 9, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. I'll be speaking on Rest: Living [...]
Making the grade
Got an e-mail from a reader this week who had read my recent interview on the Proverbs 31 site. She asked some questions that I thought would resonate with other readers. She wrote: "I have wondered [...]
Losing Grace
I was running errands Monday when I got a tearful call from my 15-year-old daughter. One of her closest friends, Megan, had suffered a terrible tragedy--her mother had suffered a heart attack and died that [...]
Holy Listening
I got a call last week from my dear friend Beth, who happened to be in town. She asked if we could have lunch. I eagerly agreed. Beth's parents are my age, and good friends of [...]
What are you waiting for?
What does it mean to “wait”? The Bible says “wait on the Lord.” Right now, I am listening to the wind hum through the window sashes, making a sound like a pitch pipe. I am waiting [...]
Parenting teens
In the last few years, I've noticed something odd. When I would tell people that my daughter was 13 (or 14), they'd furrow their brow, and say "oohh," with a mixture of cynicism and sympathy [...]