"The distinction that makes us Christ followers is in the turned cheek and in the second mile." That was part of a wonderful sermon message preached last Sunday at my church. Following Jesus is counter-cultural. Pastor explained that Jesus came into the world at a time when the Romans ruled with a heavy hand and harsh punishments... a time when the religious leaders of the day also demanded adherence to laws, hundreds of them, where breaking just one of those laws meant you h

This past Christmas our daughter Sarah gifted us a journaling Bible. Included with it was a folder, "Follow the Word," on reading the Bible together in one year. St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress (the church where she is the Director of Christian Education) is also doing this together as a congregation in 2026. I've really enjoyed going through this reading plan so far. It's different from the way I usually do my reading. It keeps me on track, it's more chronological, and e

It's been quiet here this past week at the casita. Too quiet. Just seven short days ago this little house was filled with so much life and love and laughter. It was glorious! The whole crew came in to celebrate Pulliam Christmas with us over the New Year's holiday. Fifteen precious souls stretched these walls and grew this cottage to overflowing in all the best ways. It was loud. It was chaotic. It was busy. We scooched past one another with, "Exuse me-s" and "Oops" and "Sor

Have you ever noticed how light pierces the dark? It doesn't just dissipate it or dilute it. It pierces. Where once there existed a void, a vast inky blackness, a single struck match... a tiny flame... immediately overpowers it, defeats it, sends it recoiling back from whence it came. I believe we were made to love the light, to crave it. Light equals life. This time of year lights shine brilliantly all around us. Oh, how I love it! They twinkle from the boughs of our trees,

Two weeks ago I was walking down at the soccer fields near my house. I like to go there on Fridays to do my prayer walking because the mile-long sidewalk that skirts the fields is nice and level. I can think about what I'm praying without having to look out for uneven surfaces or potholes like I do when I walk on the street. Usually. That Friday was different. I had quickened my pace as I was approaching my last lap. There was a young man heading toward me traveling in the op

That time of year has rolled 'round again. Lights are going up all over the neighborhood. Stores are playing Christmas music on repeat, and the Internet is rife with blogs and "grams" hosting virtual holiday home tours. As I write this, the dining room of my own little casita has our seven foot pencil tree perched in the corner, yet bereft of ornamentation, eagerly awaiting tiny hands to fill it profusely as high up as their small arms can reach. This approaching season spar

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 I've never been a fan of spending too much time looking backward. After all, life is forward motion, but every once in a while, I travel those roads back to see with fresh eyes the beginnings of God's story of my life. This week my oldest, my firstborn, had a birthday. Sometim

(Jesus said) "... and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew28:20 "You've got to be brave." My children and grandchildren have all heard me say this to seagulls at the beach when offering morsels of bread by outstretched hand. The reward is there for the taking if only they are brave enough to conquer the fear that I mean them no harm, only good. Some hover for a moment, then dive in to take the entire slice. Others hover and approach tentatively, b

Last weekend Tom and I were able to meet up with our son and daughter-in-law and their three children at Riverbend Park in Smithville for some camping, canoeing, and fishing. It was a short trip, a bounce, really, but we made the most of the time we had and jam-packed the hours with as much fun as we absolutely could! Mark and Laura have a camping trailer, which is awesome. Tom and I on the other hand have a camping... tent, which is also pretty awesome except for all the add

I'm fairly certain the romanticized version of this dream, the idyllic vision that took root in my heart began with the seeds of those...

I suppose I'm a rescuer of sorts. Some people have a heart for rescuing stray animals, and honestly, I'd probably do that too if my...

I remember the illustration still. A 1950s ink drawing of a little girl, knees pressed against the back cushions of the couch, eyes wide...

"If you're worried and you can't sleep/ Just count your blessings instead of sheep/ And you'll fall asleep/ Counting your blessings." -...

Today's post may at first seem a little tongue in cheek, but I assure you it also has some real substance and practical applications for...

"Oh, to grace how great a debtor - Daily I'm constrained to be; Let that grace now like a fetter - Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee: Prone...

Three days ago Tom and I celebrated our fortieth anniversary. I still can't quite wrap my head around that. The years flew by. I know...

"Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20 I debated about whether or not I should...

"...how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?" - Matthew 7:4...

It was one of those lovely, lazy spring afternoons. Tom and I were coming back from a drive to Bandera. Windows down. Breeze, perfectly...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God....