Halfway through printing my last book proposal, the ink faded. Soon the pages blanched to wordless sheets. In all the baskets lining the shelves of my office closet, only one cartridge could be found--and it didn't fit my printer. How could I have purchased the wrong type of ink? No! My…
Many faithful churchgoers encourage us to face hard times by saying, "Jesus has your back." We call on the Lord from those crisis moments, admitting we cannot cope alone. We recognize our need for divine intervention when things get tough. When our efforts to get through the struggle have fallen…
Crisis or unexpected changes wreak seismic upheaval in our minds, hearts, and souls. All we had planned suddenly crumbles through our fingers and turns to ash. Any illusions of control we once had have vanished. Instead of grinning at a bright path ahead, we shiver in the dark. These are…
Orchid blooms bowed toward me as I circled the aisle. I selected a tall beauty with gorgeous, snowy blooms. The horticulturalist grinned as she helped me take the plant down from its perch. "This is a good one. See, the flowers haven't all opened yet." As we began the transaction,…
Our relocation to a new place stank. No, literally. Sour odors and musty smells haunted me from every corner of the house. I scrubbed until my eyes nearly swelled shut. After hiring someone to help clean, I found more layers of dirt lingering. The dust kept showing up. Baseboards, French doors,…
As we turn the calendar page to enter the Christmas season, many of us search for stories to help us embark upon the holidays in meaningful ways. Others may seek beautifully crafted tales set in beautiful settings into which we may escape and enjoy a delightful read. I've found a literary…
I'm a book-hoarder, often found walled inside mountains of literature while pecking away at new manuscripts. The stuff of writing may seem like an isolating factor. Yet, reading can connect us to others. Some works serve to improve our relationships. Today's video highlights the following ways we can read to…
Born Hungry for Stories Before she can speak, an infant's cry expresses her yearning. A loving voice swaddles the new soul. The words may come with music or the mere sound of turning pages, but they capture her heart and mind either way. The child quiets, listens, grows calm. As if…
The previous post introduced our new series on reading for well-being. Today we'll explore various facets of reading for spiritual growth. Since our holistic health stems from the soul, we stand to gain comprehensive benefits from reading this vital genre. Spirituality covers a broad range of topics. Wandering through bookstore aisles…
One of the top human goals is well-being. We all want to feel and live our best. Each of us dreams of achieving a life of peace and joy. Yet the term "well-being" itself proves nebulous and the means to get to the goal even more difficult to discern. What if…