Let’s Be Doers
Ever say these words to a relative or friend? “Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.” Those words that are blurted out without really thinking and with a little, “I hope they don’t need anything!” It’s a phrase I have overused through the years. Anytime someone has had a loss…
In This Very Room
Last Monday, January 8th, in this very room pictured here, fifty members of our team that is made up of paid and volunteer staff enjoyed our Team Appreciation Luncheon at Maggiano’s Restaurant in Austin. OUR TEAM is comprised of devoted, relentless, and selfless individuals who believe it is “more blessed to give than receive”. However,…
I Became a Mama Bear
It is Saturday. I am volunteering in my usual capacity at the family center. Outside, lines of people are here to receive a box of free food. Some people come – not because they are hungry. They come because they are welcome. No one is turned away. I am in the family center store at…
Ours are the Hands
At the Vincentian Family Center last Saturday, I was privileged to share the morning devotion with the “team”. Those who follow me on Facebook or my website know that I am a deep well and drawing from that well is way more than anyone would need to hear. “Little” said often comes with a “bigger”…
The Greatest Advice I’ve Ever Received
I was delighted to say “yes” to being on a panel of four women from various backgrounds for the “SHE — Girls Night Out” on Friday night at City Reach Church here in Austin. What a great opportunity to speak from my vantage point about life and the way I have navigated many unchartered…
Seeing Through God’s Eyes
Last Sunday I heard a beautiful message. “Imagine you are a blank slate and there is no data in you. No more past failures or troubles. No influences. On this first day you find out there is a God who created you in His own image. (Genesis 1:27). Really? I’m like God! Awesome! Then the…
Willing to be Front Liners
Last night’s prayer and praise night at church was amped up and then what evolved was intercession on behalf of Afghanistan and those innocent people who are living in terror for their lives. I have offered mediocre prayers for them, but suddenly my heart turned a corner to sincere concern for my fellow brothers and…
Let’s Break Some Rules
Jesus did. Why can’t we? Doesn’t that sound rebellious? Or does it – especially when we consider Jesus and how He broke some rules. I’m not talking about the “Thou shalt nots” – those are rules we don’t break. I am talking about how Jesus broke the rules around hypocritical folks. I was 15-years-old when…
Hospitality Par Excellence
Our family is mixing it up this Christmas. It started with my Christmas wish at Thanksgiving when most all of us were together, except for the two oldest who couldn’t make it. I expressed my Christmas wish for ALL of us to be together at some point between then and Christmas. An ulterior motive for…
Hospitality at its Finest
Hospitality: the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers Years ago, Staci and I met a gal at church who was so very heart-broken. We stopped to pray with her and found that her children had been taken from her because she was deemed an unfit mother, particularly because she couldn’t…