I realize I am on a slippery slope as I allow my anger to grow. Anger that leads me dangerously close to feeling hatred.

The process of healing feels like I am adrift in the deep end of the ocean.

With my cell phone on the table next to me, I get excited when I hear the unique ring tone that indicates a call from someone special. You see this past year I have been navigating the ups and downs of a new relationship. More than navigating, I have been seeking to control the way it will play out. It’s all an illusion, though. My own feeble attempt to fool myself into believing I have control. That by seeking to control the day to day interactions, I can somehow diminish th

That cold look. The ugly email. The person who tries to stir up conflict again and again, all while claiming to be the victim. Chip, chip. The neglect. The loneliness. The engulfing fear and lack of self-worth. Chip, Chip. The verbal attacks. The blame-shifting and argumentativeness. The siren’s call of unwise habits. Chip, chip. The state of the nation. The state of our world. The neighbor who hates you. The diagnosis. The call you didn’t want to receive. Chip, c

The music on my playlists, while varied and eclectic, connect me to the Divine and guide me through hard times.

Dear Reader, A Merry Christmas to you and yours! As 2022 comes to a close, we want to thank you for being a part of this online ministry. We work diligently so that our blogs, prayers, and classes will offer you hope and a chance to grow in your faith. The blogs come to you from real people who have experienced real life challenges, and who have overcome these hardships because of their trust and faith in God. While our blogs come to you for free, behind the scenes there are

‘Twas the night before Christmas And all through the house I wandered alone, my joy somewhat doused. See, the stockings were hung and the tinsel was scattered But I sat there wondering if all of this mattered. There must be more, I thought to myself, Then ribbons and bows and elf on a shelf. I thought of my loved ones, both near and afar And silently wished on a bright evening star That something more than stuff under a tree Would give some meaning to both them and me. When w

Christmas is a time that is filled with memories. Some are vivid. Other memories are faded. Christ shows up no matter what.

I quietly sit in the softness of the sand, mesmerized by the steady roaring and crashing of the mighty ocean’s waves. I know the tide is rhythmically making its way in as each wave gets progressively closer to my little perch, but I can’t quite bring myself to move. Not yet. The timelessness and strength of these mighty waters grabs my attention, reminding me of how truly small I am. How many people came to these very shores before me, wondering just as I am? How many tim

I have come to terms with this perpetual presence. The constant cloak of grief is draped over my shoulders.

I was gripped by fear, and my over-thinking was leading my thoughts into dark places.

I have this vivid memory of a prayer night I participated in back in my college days–so vivid that all these years later, I still remember it.  We were all down on our knees huddled together closely in a circle.  We were slowly making our way around, with each person praying about whatever was on their hearts.  It was a little intimidating hearing everyone’s prayers. I wondered if my prayer would be as good or as thoughtful, if I would be perceived as being “spiritual” enough

“I am not worthy and don' deserve to live.” These were the words spoken to me by a young woman. “I can’t even take my life successfully."

I sat raptly at the end of the church pew, my head cocked sideways, face askew with skepticism. The words floated around me, but I struggled to let them sink in. “If faith were a tire,” the minister asserted, “it would rarely be destroyed by a sudden blowout. Instead, it will be taken out by slow leak, occurring over time. Little doubts here, another heartache or worry there—another failure, another hurt stuffed away. It all compiles. And if the holes aren’t patched and re

God desires behavior that seeks to glorify. When we forget to draw closer, we experience pain in our choices.

As We drove from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland from Galway on the west, we noticed a point of interest on the map. If we detoured just an hour or so to the north, we could make our way to the northernmost edge of Ireland. We could stand at the edge of things! Upon arrival, we discovered the terrain was rugged and wind-swept. In the place where the land met the north Atlantic Ocean, someone had erected a simple altar whose backdrop was the vast sea beyond. The pr

Have you ever wondered how God feels about you in the midst of a bad choice or dark place? Or how he wants you to handle those decisions or circumstances that led you to that darkness in the first place? What I have come to learn is that, far from being the distant, remote God who was standing back ready to smite me for my offenses, my Creator meets me in the middle of those ugly choices with grace and mercy, ready to help me grow through them. I remember one such time quite

I am not meant to carry my burdens alone. Yet, how can I trust without getting hurt?

Getting caught up in the cycle of darkness is a dangerous path to trod. God offers a path of light.

I had a rather interesting dream recently. I am sitting close to the stage at the Oscars, settled between two successful actresses you would likely recognize, They are known for the depth and skill of their character portrayals. Somehow in this dream world, we know each other well. Having started out in an acting career about the same time, we had mutual respect for each other’s skills. To give some brief context, I have professional acting and singing experiences in my whee