Being a Grace Receiver AND Giver
I’ve learned that being a grace receiver is the easy part. I mean, who doesn’t love being on the receiving end of God’s mercy? He forgives, restores, and blesses us — often when we least deserve it. But being a grace giver? That’s where the rubber meets the road. It’s easy to show grace when…
I Am a Promise & I’m Something Special
When my children were little, our home rang with the happy sound of little voices singing Gospel songs. Two of our favorites were Bill Gaither’s “I Am a Promise” and “I’m Something Special.” Those songs weren’t just cute tunes — they were declarations of truth. We sang them at breakfast, in the car, and sometimes…
The Gospel According to an Etch A Sketch
Do you remember the Etch A Sketch? That shiny red rectangle with two little white knobs that could entertain a kid for hours. One knob made horizontal lines, the other made vertical lines, and if we turned them together — it seemed like a miracle! Suddenly, we were artists creating crooked houses, lopsided hearts, and…
I’m Amazed that I Know So Much
I’m a knower. I know a lot of things.I know I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed (but I can still hammer out a decent blog post).I know I’m not winning any “beauty queen” trophies.I know my muscles don’t flex quite like they did when I was twenty — and that’s okay because elastic…
We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
Last Sunday, our pastor, Dr. Jonathan Spencer, opened his sermon with a story that made me smile. In 2008, two men — Travis and Gary — were on a work trip in Paris, frustrated because they couldn’t find a taxi. Somewhere between the rain and the cobblestone streets, an idea sparked: what if you could…
Clean Hands — Pure Heart
Have you ever walked past a glass door and spotted those unmistakable little fingerprints — chocolate smudges, jelly streaks, or mysterious sticky dots you hope aren’t what you think they are? The evidence is real. We know exactly who left it. And those sweet little hands? They had no clue the mess they were making.…
Eight Months & Eighty Years — Got Milk?
This weekend was one for the memory books. We celebrated my dear Carl turning 80 — and oh, what a celebration it was! His daughter outdid herself: a gorgeous cake made by Pavla, beautiful hors d’oeuvres, a buffet fit for royalty, and a room filled with over 55 friends and family. Carl was the gracious…
A Noble Man Worth Celebrating
Yesterday we kicked off a weekend of celebration for my dear husband, Carl Noble — the man who, by name and by nature, lives nobly every day. His daughters went all out with a beautiful birthday party for this gentle giant, and over fifty-five friends and family came to honor him. And yes, I’ll admit…
You’re Not a Loser — You’re a Winner
I’ll admit it — I love reality talent shows. America’s Got Talent is one of my favorites. Ordinary people — all shapes, sizes, ages — step onto a stage, risk rejection, and dare to shine. This season, one singer stopped me in my tracks: Jessica Sanchez, a radiant, very pregnant 30-year-old with a powerhouse voice…
I Forgive
Forgiveness is never easy. It can feel like swallowing gravel — especially when the wound is deep and the hurt has lingered for decades. But I recently read something that stopped me in my tracks and reminded me that forgiveness is not only possible, it’s powerful. Actor Tim Allen — yes, Tim “The Toolman” Taylor…