Ever had a day when everything went south?    The phone rings or you get an emergency text and WHAM! everything’s upside down and out of control.   I recently had a day like that. I called my sister to see how her husband was doing and ended the conversation tossing an overnight bag in the car, cancelling appointments, and heading for the coast three hours away.    Long story to novella – my sister had     read more

Have you ever noticed how the near impossible task of forgiving a grievous wrongdoing is laid at the feet of the victim rather than the perpetrator? So, what’s a victim to do? Forget it and try to move on? Stuff it and let the bitterness bubble inside like a poison potion? Hire a hit man? Here’s a healthier alternative.  1. Get into one-sided forgiveness:  It’s not about making what they did acceptable in any way—it’s letting     read more

Uh – maybe not so much… All the changes that come with summer, sky-high air-conditioning and water bills, family reunions, kids out of school,additional yard work, out-of-town guests, co-workers on vacation, a vacations you end up needing a vacation from, sunburn and mosquitoes—may have you feeling a bit stressed.  Take a breath—literally. My friend LeAnn Theiman, bestsellingauthor, Hall of Fame Speaker, and nurse says doing so is sure to help cure summer stress.  “Studies show emotions are related to different patterns     read more

Do you remember what the person who married you said? Maybe you do – maybe you don’t. Maybe they didn’t say anything worth remembering or maybe all that was said was, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”  I must admit, there isn’t much I remember about what was said during my wedding, but I do remember what was said at my daughter’s wedding.  “…And now to you parents I want to     read more

There are two kinds of goals in this world. Simple goals, and goals simply stated. My goal for today is simple: Bring glory and honor to God through all I say, think and do.  Simply stated… but not a simple goal. As The Message explains in the book of Romans in Chapter 7 – Verses 14-25 “What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act     read more

  Several months after my daughter left us on her personal journey of discovery I stopped praying for her. My Bible study prayer partner called me on it. After we’dswapped written prayer requests for the week she said, “Penny. There’s something missing here.” “Really? I don’t think so.” “Yes, there is. Look,” she said handing me back my list. “Your     read more