-
Fools in Fiction
My brave girl’s quest is a fool’s errand, but I’m proud of her spirit. – Abram Abernathy, The Revisionary Fool. The word can be a loaded insult or a joking comment. It can have the intent to correct or ring with resigned sadness. In The Revisionary, Portia’s father describes her plan to rescue Darius as a “fool’s errand,” and in doing so, implies the futility of her cause. Although she may be short-sighted, he still admires her determination. Fools in fiction (and real life) are complicated people. They may or may not fit the ordinary definition of a person who lacks sense or good judgment. The simple fool The easiest to spot is the…
-
The Revisionary Cover: An Unlikely Story
We all like unwrapping presents on our birthdays. For my birthday this year, I wanted to “unwrap” something my readers could enjoy with me. So, I asked my editor Marji if I could share my new book cover with my readers today, and she said yes! I can’t wait to share the story “inside” the cover with you on June 6 (release day), but today, there’s another story to tell. It’s the one that made this cover possible and one that began in an unlikely place. The Story behind the Cover The year was 2007. I had recently graduated from college and started a job at a marketing company. A few cubicles over…
-
Faith that Moves
The follow post first appeared in the spring issue of Girlz 4 Christ magazine. I felt burdened to write it after moving at the end of last year and hope it will be a blessing to you, in whatever stage or place you find yourself. For more encouragement and inspiration on godly topics for teen girls, visit Girlz 4 Christ online. Moving. I can’t decide what I like least about it: getting the boxes, packing, or unpacking. Getting the boxes (if you’re thrifty like me) can involve borderline dumpster diving or soliciting the local grocery store. I felt like a puppy begging for food when I asked the clerk if she had…
-
3 Freeing Truths to Fight Busyness
If you’ve been joining me here for a while, you might remember my keyword for 2017: Simplicity. How’s that going for me? I’ll admit: not the way I’d planned. Truth is that I’m busier than ever. In fact, each month adds something new to my never-ending list. Maybe you can relate. How do we fight against the bully of busyness? I wish I could outline three steps to a simpler life, but I’m on this journey with you. However, here are some freeing truths I’m discovering that may help us keep life in perspective. #1: My best doesn’t have to be perfect. Oh, trust me, I want it to be. I…
-
Street Stewardship: Our Calling and God’s Commission
As some of you know, I moved at the end of last year. After the mad rush to pack, clean, shuffle, and then repeat, I’ve settled into a cozy little place. And a bit of complacency. Do I really need to paint that room? Nope. Can I live without a pull-down attic access? Yep. Gutters? Maybe this summer. There’s nothing wrong with catching a break from home improvement projects. There is, however, a problem with complacency in other aspects of stewardship. Yes, stewardship. A home is a blessing, a burden, and an opportunity all wrapped in one. I’m not only responsible for my home itself but also for what surrounds it.…
-
Trust and Obey
My grandmother’s favorite hymn was “Trust and Obey.” As a little girl, I liked the hymn just because she did. Now that she’s gone, its beautiful simplicity and her memory endear it even more to me. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus. Sometimes, however, that faith gets tried with fire. As a missionary wife and mother, my grandmother experienced death threats against her husband, buried her firstborn son in South America, and before her own home-going much later in life, suffered the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s. Trust and obey? Last week, author and teacher Dr. Dennis E. Hensley or “Doc Hensley” served as keynote…
-
The Path of Resistance
Last week, I went biking on a particularly windy day. Starting down the trail, my dirt bike raced along without much effort on my part. The return home, however, was not such a breeze. With head down, I peddled hard into the wind and made much slower progress. My thighs started to burn. Resistance brings pressure, sweat, and sometimes pain; I’m not just talking about the kind that comes from biking into the wind. Life presents us with resistance. In school, we have to work hard and figure out teacher expectations to earn good grades. In our jobs, we might have to deal with unpleasant customers, co-worker conflicts, or project deadlines. Good relationships…
-
Giving God Your Future: A Review & Giveaway
The title of this Women of Faith Bible study immediately grabbed my attention. Since I was a teenager, I’ve wondered about God’s will, how to know it, and how to live it out each day. After all, doing God’s will today determines where I’ll find myself tomorrow. Although my desire was in the right place, my motivation wasn’t. I mistakenly thought if I followed the straight and narrow, I’d be able to better manage my life with fewer surprises. Instead, God’s will sometimes means I have just enough light to see the next step. For a planner like me, that’s been hard. (If you can relate, chapter 3 “It’s My Life”…
-
Ordinary People, Abundant Power
Have you noticed a common thread among superheroes? They have lowly origins, rise to unlikely greatness, and often have Achilles’-heel-like weaknesses. Think about it. Spiderman was a whimpy teenager until a spider bit him. Captain America couldn’t even meet the enlistment requirements. Superman was superhuman unless kryptonite came into the picture. Does anyone remember I-Man? My brothers liked this movie from the 80s, so I watched it many times in my childhood. I-Man breathed extraterrestrial space dust that made him virtually unstoppable. But if he were left in the dark, his cells would die, and well, so would he. He also had a penchant for stealing all the cream for…
-
If You Could Be a Superhero
If you could be a superhero(ine), what would your super power be? A while back, our youth pastor challenged the teens in youth group to design their own biblical superhero, complete with name, super power, theme song, icon, etc. Our high school girls created a superheroine they called Proverbs 31derwoman. I was so impressed with their idea, organized in such a short amount of time, that I asked some of them if they would be willing to tell us more about it here. I’m excited that they said yes! For the next two weeks, you’re going to hear from Ashley, Hannah, and Victoria as they share what their heroine can teach…
