“Hey, Lise,” my husband said on the phone one day. “This woman named Amy walked into the church office today and said she had questions about God. Lots of questions.” “Let me guess,” I smiled. “They sent her to you.” “Actually, I suggested that she grab coffee with you.” Gulp…

“You have twenty minutes to share with three prospective elders everything you wish someone had shared with you before you became an elder.” That was the assignment given to Hardin …

Every man and woman who serves in our armed forces is required to go through boot camp, also known as basic training.  All five branches of our nation’s military have this requirement.  Whether individuals serve in …

I read one of my favorite passages recently. I’ve read it countless times before, but this time, one particular phrase stood out to me, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. You know the story of Elijah and the big showdown …

Let’s admit it. The group that has the corporate corner on compassion is the ASPCA. Those late-night television commercials, showing malnourished, injured, and mistreated kittens and puppies, accompanied by “In the Arms of an Angel” ... and all you have to do to help stop it is send $19 per month…

On a recent Sunday morning I was sitting in a worship service in the home church of dear friends when I noticed an older couple sitting across the aisle from me. At first, I thought the wife had fallen asleep leaning on her husband. After observing…

“Surrender” is a hard word for many of us to hear, especially in the context of our faith and leadership! This word deals with the releasing or giving up of our wills to the absolute Lordship of Christ.

It’s the start of a new year. Resolutions have been made and you are wanting to throw in the towel already. Creating a list of the things that you would like to achieve is a great goal, but…

Does surrender seem like a dirty word? The “Sunday School answer” is an obvious “no.” But when I hear about preachers dismissed because…

Early in adolescence, I realized I was more prone to melancholy than most of my friends. While girls my age were worried about their next date or prom dress, I was pondering environmental issues and how to pay for college or my next car repair. I wanted to be the bubbly girl who was invited to every party, but…

Weary yet? Not even a week is past in this new year, and we are inundated with bad news. Continual “breaking news” brings word of a broken world…

I love being creative and using my hands to make something. I can sew, crochet, embroider, quilt, and cross-stitch. … In this area of my life, I feel successful but in many other areas I feel a lot less adequate.