Remembering Hibernation
Today I remembered my wise friend’s advice to “take our cues from nature” about our behavior during certain seasons. So many of us punish ourselves and wonder what’s wrong when we feel fatigued, when we feel like rolling ourselves into warm blankets, when we feel like lounging about and eating warm foods as the December […]
To Figure Out Your Writing Voice
Today I made more Christmas cookies while listening to Christmas Jazz. In between batches, I took a few calls that both involved talking to writers about their writing journeys. I answered questions; I gave advice. I offered my opinions on agents, publishers, query letters, proposals, sample chapters, career authorship, and anything else one writer wondered […]
Time to Celebrate!!!
Finally Better (Almost): Start Marveling
What a week of recovery! The human body amazes me in how it heals and fights infection. Sometimes, I thinking about it and marvel. I marvel over the memory of cells. I marvel over medicine. I marvel over how my cat seems to know I’m sick and comforts me. Then I start marveling over my […]
The Cookie Factory
For two decades now, I’ve made Christmas cookies to pass around to friends, family, and colleagues. We officially started the “Cookie Factory” yesterday. My daughter and her college roommate came home to help, and we even enjoyed the creative assistance of the little girls from next door. We keep a pile of Christmas cookies in […]
As You Read the Psalms
Every fresh month, I start reading the psalms again. For years I’ve done this, and I’m amazed at how God teaches me something new. I experience God’s word as “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) through this process of reading the psalms over and over again. God’s word is alive and will speak to you in […]
A Life Like This
I enjoyed thinking about Isaiah 30 this morning. Consider these highlights of God speaking to His people: This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” But think about the opposite kind of life from the beautiful one described above: a life of […]
How to Spend a Day with the Lord
I suppose every day is a “day with the Lord” because He’s always with us, but today already feels special. I decided to make a day with the Lord since I’m waiting for my eyedrops and antibiotic to kick in for my ear ache and pink eye. Add laryngitis into the mix, and I’m really […]
For the Overwhelmed
I love Psalm 142. It’s a great psalm to send to someone in your life who might feel overwhelmed, sad, or discouraged. David wrote these words while hiding in a cave since Saul was trying to murder him. I love this part recorded in 1 Samuel 22 because of David’s unusual ministry in the cave […]
View It All Through Being “Sent”
My cold turned into an ear infection and pink eye this morning, all combined with laryngitis. All day yesterday, I asked the Lord to please heal me so I wouldn’t have to go to the doctor. If I had to go to the doctor, could God at least help me secure an appointment today? Well, […]