Category: Opinion
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Picking Blackberries as a Life Analogy
Recently, my husband and I were hunting for wild blackberries in a natural area close to our home. If you’ve ever picked blackberries, you know that flesh wounds are nearly inevitable as the juicy berries are nestled among sharp thorn bushes. I was reminded of that afresh as I incurred scratches all over my arms…
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Variety is the Spice of Life and Writing
Many suggest that picking a niche to blog about is the way to success. They may be right, but I decline to narrow my focus. Here is a look at my wide range of topics.
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My Christian Commitments in a Post-Christian World
What does it mean to be a Christian in a post-Christian society? I will discuss what I think that looks like, and my commitments to live out the gospel in this post-Christian culture. Growing up in the West during the last few decades of the twentieth century, I took for granted that Judeo-Christian ethics and…
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Should I Engage With People Online Who Disagree?
Many a day, I wonder, and perhaps you do too, “Should I engage with people online who disagree with me?” There’s no one correct answer, but here are five questions I like to ask myself first, as a Christian who strives to use my time effectively for the glory of God. The background Today’s digitally…
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Planners vs. Spontaneous People: Honest Thoughts from a Planner
Published 4/7/19. Updated 4/9/24. Planners vs. spontaneous people. Like oil and water, those who like to plan their schedules in advance and those who operate with nothing but spontaneity don’t mix well, at least under natural circumstances. Planners, of which I am one, like to know what is coming up in the week or month…
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The Strange Dynamic of Facebook Friendships
A cynical, possibly humorous discussion on the difference between real life friends and Facebook friends.
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Can Christians have a sense of humor?
Can Christians have a sense of humor? Is it OK to have fun and be light-hearted as a Christian, even amidst the seriousness of living out the Gospel? This is something I’ve been thinking about, as I love to laugh, be silly and spread humor and “ridiculum.” It gives me great joy to discover or…
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Traveling New Zealand: South Island Majestic Beauty
Published 1/20/2019. Updated 1/19/2021. The first two weeks of 2019 found my husband Mike and I making a long held dream come true: traveling New Zealand via road trip – the South Island. The how and why of our ending up there went a little something like this. 2018 marked a milestone birthday for me…
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Theology of Gratitude
Gratitude isn’t just a seasonal feeling, it’s a spiritual posture. Thanksgiving flows from a heart aligned with God’s will, not from circumstances that always make sense. The theology of gratitude, then, is more than a topic—it’s an invitation to live every day aware of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and presence.
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An Easy Way to Make Your Boss Happy
Want to know an easy way to make your boss happy? Keep reading! When the boss is happy, he is easier to get along with, she may treat you better, and you may even find yourself getting promoted sooner. What is not to like? I recently learned a trick that goes a long way in…
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Thoughts From a Forgotten Demographic: Conservative Christians Who Didn’t Vote for Trump
I am troubled by the precipitous decline in civility amongst people in the United States who hold opposing views. This topic has been on my mind for some time. While I don’t often write about politics, I’ve stated before my thoughts on how to address this decline. This article is just my way of sharing my…
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To My Friends Who Vote Differently Than I Do: Election Thoughts
This post has been updated 1/3/24. It was originally published on 11/5/2018. With a big election year upon us, I wanted to send out a feeler into the world. Is there still a chance to value people over politics? I think there is. Allow me to explain. These are my thoughts on how to handle…
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On Christian Hypocrisy: A Helpful Way to Identify & Sort Out Unseemly Behavior
Christian hypocrisy is a loaded topic. The accusation, “Christians are hypocrites,” has been uttered many times, often as a stated reason why someone has no interest in attending church or examining Christianity for themselves. What’s the deal with Christian hypocrisy? To be sure, it is not difficult to find people who claim to be Christians (“professing…
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When Is It Time to Replace Running Shoes? (A Personal Account)
When is it time to replace running shoes? Sometimes I can be slow to internalize things. I might need to learn a lesson a few times before it gets through my skull and into my decision-making process. Pair that quality with a frugal mindset and a hesitation to spend money on myself, and you have…
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Thoughts on Overstated Enthusiasm in Language: Are Exclamation Points Unprofessional?
I have a problem. It seems to be a problem, anyway. Too much enthusiasm. I ask myself, “Are exclamation points unprofessional?” It seems a lot of sources think they are. What do you think? I am naturally enthusiastic, particularly in terms of interacting with others—in person, in writing, and even on the phone. When left…
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Unpacking a Piece of the Most Important Commandment (If You Don’t MIND)
What is the most important commandment of Jesus Christ? In our Lord’s own words, when answering a Pharisee trying to entrap Him, was: “And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’” – Matthew 22:37 Many Christians can…
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Summer 2018 Adventure Highlights
Join me in a recounting of our summer 2018 highlights! Some quick background to start. I make no secret of the fact that summer is my favorite season. No, not because it is my name. It tops the list for me (and my husband Mike) because it is the short window of reliably warm weather…
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Scripture Memory: Exciting Update & Encouragement
Hello dear reader! Recently I posted a blog/vlog discussing the importance to the Christian of memorizing Scripture. I won’t rehash the points here. You can watch the video if you want. I did, however, want to share an exciting update. At the time of that post, I mentioned that I had found a resource that…
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13 Obvious Facts, About Which There Can Be No Dispute
Here are 13 obvious facts, about which there can be no dispute! With tongue in cheek, here we go. The correct way to hang a roll of toilet paper is with the paper facing out. Everybody knows this. When telling a story, if you find yourself without a suitable ending, just say, “So … yeah.”…
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What does the Bible say about introverts?
What does the Bible say about introverts? Much is written about how introverts like to be alone and recharge through alone time. This is true. The highly under-reported (and I think, much less known) traits of an introvert include a slowness to speak due to different brain processing than quick-thinking, fast-talking extroverts. Also included is…