The Name Above All Names

Recently members of our church distributed school supplies at a back-to-school event in an underprivileged community. To our church’s credit, we had more volunteers than we needed to man the tables, so I decided to be on the lookout for families as they arrived or for people carrying empty backpacks. Then I would lead families to the tables where they would (more…)

Woman’s Best Friend

A friend loves at all times.—Proverbs 17:17

It was Labor Day weekend 2006, a month and a half after the death of our 12-year-old Springer spaniel Duncan, as we traveled from a friend’s wedding in Jacksonville, Fla., to a Wendy’s parking lot in South Carolina to meet our rescue puppy.

Called Floyd at the time, he had been rescued the night before he (more…)

Making Connections

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls but has no one to help [her] up.—Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

If genuine friendships are a measure of blessing (and I believe they are), I am among the most blessed women ever. Despite (more…)

Those Voices in Your Head

Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10

Most of us would run from someone who admitted having voices in her head. But in reality, most of us do, just not to the kind that tell us (more…)

Praying for Strangers

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.—James 5:16

If you don’t like awkward encounters, maybe you shouldn’t hang out with me because I’m the queen of awkward. And I hope that’s a good thing.

I’m that person who will ask a stranger how I can pray for her, and then, with her permission, I pray for her on the spot. (more…)