Let’s take a second look at asking. We have two children in college. One happily asks us to spring for things. The other often pays her own way, even for expenses we would gladly cover. I know she wants to be independent, but she’s trying to cover expenses for which we’ve already made provision. So,…

My husband and two of my boys have a unique gifting. They ask—and people respond. I’ve seen them snag more discounts, free stuff, perks, and promotional items simply because they asked. Still hesitant? Ever wonder what people in Scripture asked God for? Let’s take a look: Advice: “ . . . so David inquired of the Lord,…

My kids have started school and so have I. Summer temps still hover—and will for another month, but a new season has arrived. Before we find ourselves drowning in the new activity of the fall, let’s take some time and explore what God has for each of us this season. Walk with me through Ecclesiastes…

Camels have extreme thirst. They can drink 30-40 gallons at a time. I think my puppy is part camel. When he drinks, he flops down, wraps his paws around the bowl, and plunges his head in the water dish. Sometimes he goes to the Texas-sized water bowl (the pool) for a drink. He’ll jump in—slurping…

Workout of the Week: Walking on Water: When You Need to Reach Memory Verse: “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” Matthew 14:31 NIV Meditation Passage: Matthew 14:28-33 Just Do It: Reach For Him. Overwhelmed. Underwater without scuba gear. Desperate for firm footing.…

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” C. S. Lewis “Incognito,” according to Merriam-Webster, means “with your true identity kept secret; with one’s identity fully concealed.” I love C.S. Lewis, but I have a bone to pick with the quote…

Lacey. Ten pounds of golden fur—soon to be sixty. We had an older retriever too, Luke, my constant companion and running partner. Soon Lacey was big enough to join us. And here the problems began. I had a wonderful tool that links two dog collars permitting me to have only one leash. At this point,…

Receiving has never been a stretch for our kids. They’ve always been more than willing to eat our food, use our hot water, and spend our money. Content to dump dirty laundry downstairs, they know they’ll find it clean and folded when they return. Filling their gas tank can make their day and if we…

The tune in my head was not one I chose. My radio had been hijacked by my teenager. What I was soon to learn was that my mind had been hijacked as well. And it affected my focus. It began as I chauffeured my teen to strength and conditioning camp this summer. Normally, I listen…