10 Gift Ideas for the Writer in Your Life
Sometimes folks ask me for my best gift ideas for writers. Here you go! Since I write for long stretches of time, I love these ten products (or variations of them) that help make the writing day wonderful. Quick list summary: amazing pens, a spiral journal, good coffee, slippers, fancy tea, nuts and dried fruit, […]
Little Acorn People: A New Craft Idea
Today a friend alerted me to these adorable photos of little acorn people from the Facebook group called, “You Need More Art in Your Life.” I just love these creative little acorn people! Feel free to check out the post on Facebook to see more photos.
The Nature of a Servant
In a workplace environment, I’ve learned to ask God what it means for me to be like Jesus who, as described best by Paul in Philippians 2:7, “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. . . “ In the simplest way to think about it, a servant serves others rather than herself. […]
Launching Into the Day When You Feel. . . Blah!
I wake up feeling. . . Blah! But I know what to do: I begin with the Basics: good coffee, Bible reading, oatmeal, prayer. Then I move into Advanced: I consider who I might bless. I take a brisk walk across campus. I get to work. Soon, I’m OK. I pray your day shapes up. […]
Expect a Crowd
In Psalm 142:7, we read this: “Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.” I know many of you reading this blog currently sit with a great story in your heart about how God set you free. You […]
An Autumn Walk
Understanding Transformation: Growing in Love
Is emotional maturity the same thing as spiritual maturity? How does character transformation happen? I love the intersection of spirituality and the neuroscience of transformation, so this morning, I learned from a conversation between Michael Sullivant and Dr. Jim Wilder as they talk about his work with Dallas Willard and this concept of spiritual transformation. […]
Early Rising, Late To Bed
This morning, I woke up feeling tired from all the work the night before. And I couldn’t think of what to plan for dinner. And I worried that I was drinking too much caffeine to allow for good sleep. Do you not think scripture speaks to even this? I turn to Psalm 127 and read […]
A Blessing in Less Energy
I talk to some colleagues about our diminishing energy as we age. In the mid-forties, you suddenly don’t have the same energy you once had. Or we’re all just getting sick (as we do on a college campus!) Or, we just need more sleep. Whatever the reason, the fact stands: we’re tired. I’ve noticed how […]
My Favorite Ginkgo Tree
In our neighborhood, a ginkgo tree down the street turns golden every October. We were so inspired that, last year, we planted our own. I took side by side pictures this morning and thought to myself, “Everyone needs a role model!” One day far into the future, our own little ginkgo tree will become like […]