Withstand
WITHSTAND — that word hits home for me. After 40 years in Oklahoma winds and now navigating the Texas gusts, I’ve learned this: wind doesn’t play nice. It pushes, pulls, and pressures — but it also reminds us we were built to stand strong. Those winds have a mind of their own. They can rattle…
Trusting God in the Waiting
On Wednesday nights, there is no need to wait for dinner – our church offers us a delicious family meal. Last Wednesday night’s meal included the salad bar and chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans. Yum! Between our church’s family meal and my Heavenly Father’s daily bread – all I need to…
Never to Depart
I was raised on pews, potlucks, and powerful preaching. If the church doors were open, my parents would make sure I was on the other side of them — Sunday School, Sunday morning service, Sunday night service, Wednesday night service, youth group, and revival week marathons that lasted longer than some of today’s movie binges.…
To God Be the Glory
It’s no secret that I’ve been a fan of the show, “American Idol” for 23 years – that’s how long it’s been on air. I’ll admit I get choked up sometimes when I see and hear someone who sings straight from a heart of gratitude and talent! So last Sunday night’s performance by this young…
The Church is Alive and Well
The Church — what a beautiful, hope-filled, life-giving place! It’s more than four walls and a steeple; it’s a living, breathing Body where we find hope, peace, faith, and fellowshi But let’s be honest: some of us got a little too comfortable in our jammies, sipping coffee while tuning into online services during Covid. I…
A Heartfelt Plea
As I look at the world around us, I see so many things that leave me perplexed and profoundly saddened. I believe in love — love for our neighbors, for our community, for the sanctity of life — but sometimes, I struggle to understand how that love has been twisted into something unrecognizable. How did…
How the Tides Can Change
Home at last after a remarkable week cruising Eastern Canada and New England. Still, there truly is no place like home sweet home. The joy was doubled as my East Texas family journeyed to Austin to celebrate Mother’s Day with us. Big brother Ryan and sister Shawntel opened their welcoming, spacious home to everyone, while…
Behind Closed Doors
Ever say: “I’m waiting for doors to open”, meaning a job opportunity, or patiently waiting for a store to open its doors, or the cash windfall that you could sure use that’s behind those closed doors? Remember when we placed our hands and fingers in a position to show “Here’s the church; here’s the steeple.”…
The Voice
I am a fan of the television show, The Voice. The judges’ backs are turned to the singer as they belt out a hearty song. The judges listen and they turn their chair if the singer’s voice is worthy of the competition. There was one voice that got may attention. It was my mama’s when…
Choosing to be like Jesus
We have all experienced it. We just heard an amazing sermon at church about being the light of Christ, and, ten minutes later, we’re trying to exit the church parking lot. We’ve got a ‘tude about the traffic and getting to our lunch date on time. We might even forget about using our car’s turn…