Oh, great. As I approached my car, I saw it. The dent, scraped paint, and two-inch black mark shone like a beacon beneath the afternoon sun. Someone had hit my driver’s side door, and of course, didn’t bother leaving a note. I’d been in the mall less than two hours. I suspected the culprit was the maroon car with black …
Happy (Early) Easter
Good Friday. The day always tweaks my heartstrings. I reflect on Christ’s earthly ministry. How he loves us. How he willingly laid down his life so we could spend eternity with him in heaven. (John 3:16) Many will celebrate the weekend with egg hunts and Easter bunnies and other fun traditions, but during the fun, I hope folks will pause …
Where Will You Throw Your Stone?
When I first heard of Frank Gifford’s death, I was scrolling through my Facebook feed. The news of his passing came through a friend’s link. I have to admit, I really didn’t know much about this man—the New York Giants football/broadcaster legend—though, of course, I knew who he was. While I was growing up, my father often spoke about Gifford …
Keeping “Hope” in Holy Week
Holy Week is a poignant time of reflection. For Christians, the week preceding Easter Sunday symbolizes tragedy and triumph. The worst and the best. It’s that bittersweet time when hope transcends sorrow and humanity is brought to its knees in recognition of God’s greatest gift: His son. We plan family gatherings, meals, and sunrise services. We pray and we fast …
When Our Ministries Expand Beyond Writing
As a Christian writer I feel a keen sense of duty. To God. To the lost. To those who are struggling in their walk. To my craft. Because I write Christian fiction, I want to portray life realistically–without the rose-colored glasses, but, too, with immeasurable hope that only comes in Jesus Christ. I like “happily ever after.” The sweet, “feel good” …
Please Join Me as I Chat with Dr. Gary Neal Hansen
One of the greatest highs of my writing journey is making new friends. Connecting with like-minded believers is a tremendous blessing. You may remember when I interviewed Chad R. Allen in November. Chad is the Editorial Director of Baker Books, and he is a ministry-minded, down-to-earth fellow with a heart for helping others. In fact, I met Dr. Hansen by …
What (Lazy) Fellowship Says about a Church
Where I’m from, we’re known as a friendly bunch. We wave at folks we don’t know, we smile for no apparent reason, and we might call you “neighbor” even if we’ve just met you. That’s life in the Ozarks. Living in the buckle of the “Bible Belt” affords many intimate and unique worship opportunities. Since denominations are manmade and not God-created, I’ve always been less …
The Next Target: The Novel You’ve Waited For
Because we live in a world where instant gratification is the norm, rarely do we pick up a novel and continue to read without an immediate connection. That “connection” might be the subject matter, the writing style, or the author’s unique individuality. Then again, the reader magnetism might just be the story. When it’s clear from the outset that a novel has all …
To Grow a Friendship
Many years ago, I knew an acquaintance I’ll refer to as “Cassie.” I met Cassie as a freshman in college. For a brief time, we worked in the same area on campus. Cassie was the oldest of three siblings and came from a broken home. (Her dad remarried about the time she started college.) Cassie was a bit rough around the …
Is It Time for a New Camera?
I’ve always felt things deeply. I cheer for the underdog. I rail against injustice. I adore gallantry and old-fashioned romance. I have a deep reverence for God, country, and tradition. Suffering in any form disturbs me. I want to help because I’m a doer. In junior high, I once had a teacher refer to me as “an old soul” after …