Jesus — Brought to Life
On Thursday, Highland Lakes Camp on the beautiful shores of Lake Travis, rolled out the red carpet for senior citizens from many Texas churches! Yay for owning up to being a senior citizen — bring on those perks! Imagine driving through Austin’s gorgeous Hill Country and then being treated like royalty. Delicious fruit and muffins…
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…
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…
Laughter Is Medicine for the Soul
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22 Saturday night, Carl and I went on a date that felt like a vitamin for our souls. We joined a packed house at Hill Country Church in Austin for “Funny How Marriage Works” with comedian Michael Jr. I’ve…
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,…