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…
Let’s Flex Our Faith
Some phrases just stick. Our Lamplighters Bible teacher, Zack Dawes, tossed one out Sunday morning while we were diving into the book of Daniel: “Flex your mighty right arm!” That’s straight from Isaiah 51:9 — a bold, beautiful prayer:“Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! Flex your mighty right arm!” It’s an…
I’m Being Followed
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”— Psalm 23:6 That’s quite a promise, isn’t it? Some days it feels like anxiety and fear are tailgating us while goodness and mercy got stuck at the last stoplight. But life has taught me something — goodness and mercy don’t always walk…
Our Eternal Backup Source
Ever feel like your spiritual battery is running low? You’re not alone. I’ve sung “This little light of mine; I’m gonna let it shine” more times than I can count. But some days, I feel like I need jumper cables just to make it to lunch. Life has a way of draining us. A negative…
Take a Deep Breath
Ever take your breath for granted? I do — until I’m lying awake at night and sleep doesn’t come. That’s when I remember to inhale deeply. Slow, full breaths really do help me drift off. And apparently, there’s science behind it. Deep breathing calms the nervous system, lowers stress hormones, delivers oxygen to our cells,…
Correction That’s Good for Us
I’ll be honest — I don’t like being corrected. Do you? It’s embarrassing. Especially if someone points out my mistake in front of other people. I’d much prefer a quiet whisper in the corner than a neon sign flashing “She goofed!” But as much as we dislike correction, it’s good for us. Correction keeps us…
Serving Like Mary and Martha
At our Wednesday night Women’s Bible Study — picture about fifty women, Bibles open, our cups and mugs in hand — we talked about spiritual gifts. Some of us are encouragers. Some are intercessors. Some are prayer warriors. And then there are those who, like Mary, have the gift of simply sitting at Jesus’ feet…
The “Ber” Months of Wonder
Call me slow on the uptake, but after all these years, I just realized something: September, October, November, and December all end with “ber.” Who knew? Well, apparently everyone but me. But here’s the thing — I’ve decided to celebrate my discovery. Why? Because it reminded me that life is full of little “aha” moments…