If Jesus Had a Dog (Selah Awards Finalist 2023)
Honored that this essay (first posted Summer 2022), inspired by our late Finley, was chosen as a Selah Awards 2023 Finalist. If Jesus had a dog, I’ll bet His would be a good shepherd—inclined toward tending goats and sheep, striving to keep them safe. His…
God of This City–Of Every City (Part 2)
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (II Chronicles 16:9 NIV). (***To read Part 1 of God of This City–Of Every City, click HERE. It was the last post at Penning Pansies,…
God of This City–Of Every City (Part 1)
“I want [people] everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer…” (I Timothy 2:8a NIV). It was never our intent to encourage a worship service. We were just two people, celebrating Bill’s birthday at Elaine’s, a popular dueling piano bar in the basement of Asheville’s Grove…
Why a Word for the Year?
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path (Psalm 119:105 CSB). ***Read to the end for a chance to win a wonderful new book!*** You’ve heard it asked. What’s your word for the year? This inquiry is everywhere come…
A New Year’s Letter to Wee Emory Wren
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord (Psalm 113:9 NIV)! Dear Emory Wren, Here we are, at the close of another year. How ever can it be? Your second Christmas already, preparing for another trip around…
Recipe for Turning Grumbles to Gratitude!
Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good (Psalm 106:1a NRSV). What should have been a lovely autumn morning began with grumbles. Trying to get out the door for a family outing to Sky Top Apple Orchard, I quickly swept…
Godnections–Part 2
***(This was published first on Facebook, with only several omissions and / or additions. The formatting is a bit off here, though I don’t know why. I apologize for that.)*** ********** I recently had the privilege of spending some quality time with a dear friend….
Colorful Connections–A New Release Worth Reading
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV). The wide-eyed child stood at my kitchen door, her mama–my neighbor and friend Ms. Martha–beside her, holding her hand. “Mrs. Miller,” the…
Leadership Lessons Along the Trail
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (I Timothy 4:12 NIV). Sometimes one learns lessons in the most unlikely of places. We recently…
Full-Circle Moments
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV). Lately, I’ve been pondering full-circle moments, as I see each as an opportunity to acknowledge, despite all life’s twists and turns, that we’re right where God intended, rooted in…