I've always believed in miracles. I've known some really big ones in my family. Big miracles are like the fireworks on the Fourth of July — they make an instant impression amid the ooohs, and ahhhs, and the jaws that drop. Small miracles are different; they give us...
As a life-long churchgoer, mother of two adult daughters (22 and 26) who were raised in church, I share my perspective on young pastors and all pastors who work with young people. Most of the pastors who have influenced my girls have been young. Student pastors are...
I'm taking a deep breath now. The way you would inhale right before you jump out of an airplane (which I'll never do). While I won't take a physical leap at 10,000 feet, I'm taking a bit of a psychological one here, because I'm about to express an opinion on a...
Y'all are going to think there is something wrong with me. So a few caveats are in order before I tell this story: I'm an intelligent, educated woman, and have, in the past, supported myself quite well. I am not a backwards ninny who has to ask her husband's...
We're about two weeks into the unemployment and, of course, there are big changes around here. Some good, some not so good. I wrote about it last week. Bad news first: We're in only-spend-money-on-necessities mode. That means no extras; no restaurants, no...
Taken on Greers Ferry Lake. A place that always feels peaceful. Early this morning as I got ready for work, I tweeted this: Getting in the shower & forgetting to put the shower curtain inside the tub: the new mopping the bathroom floor. #emptynesters #fb — beth g...
I'm having major surgery this coming Monday. A hysterectomy, to be exact. Not too long ago, I had a minor procedure that involved a biopsy and they found some abnormal cells. Not cancer, but precancerous. For any cancer survivor, the word precancerous is actually code...
This morning as my husband, Jim, and I got ready to leave for church, I put on my coat, scarf and gloves to stay warm in the 20-degree weather and single-digit windchill. I had to decide between brown gloves to go with my pants or black gloves to go with my coat;...
Earlier this week, I volunteered at Manna House (more about Manna House here, here and here) as I often do. There is never a time that I leave there without some new insight, but on this day I left with a book in hand as well. The book, Radical Compassion, Finding...
I had to catch my breath. Early one morning last week I checked Facebook and saw this status: "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of...
I just left a business networking event with accomplished entrepreneurs, consultants and more CPAs than I’ve ever seen in one place in my entire life. Although as a general rule, financial people scare me to death, these were gracious and welcoming folks and I enjoyed...
Shane Claiborne doesn’t look — or live — like an average preacher. This author, Christian activist and sought-after speaker wears no tie, not even a blazer and jeans, but casual, comfortable clothes and has dreadlocks that hang past his shoulders. Raised in east...
What are homeless people like? Though it's not easy to admit, I harbored some preconceived notions: Dangerous. Violent. Unintelligent. Uncaring. Lazy. Scary. Until a few weeks ago. Until Manna House. My first experience humbled and overwhelmed me. With regret for the...
Today someone offered me a piece of a chocolate donut ... and it made me cry. I spent this morning at Manna House in midtown Memphis, which offers hospitality, showers, change of clothes, coffee and rest to area homeless persons. After we served coffee, provided...
I usually avoid these neighborhoods. This day was different. My 16-year-old daughter, Sara Ann, five of her friends and I were in Atlanta for a church youth weekend. We left the church to get out into the city and learn about poverty and homelessness. Our first stop...
For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4 For the past few months, I have been thanking God for His provision and His faithfulness as Jim searches for a new job. It has been stressful, scary and has worn on us as a family at...
As a long-time United Methodist, I have always looked forward to the Maundy Thursday service, which takes place the night before Good Friday and commemorates the Last Supper and Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. I love Easter, but for me to really "get"...
For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.Psalm 33:4 Here we are in mid-March and still no job. Back in November, when I first posted about the job situation, (We are OK) I felt confident and sure of God's faithfulness and care in our...
Jim took this photo on the Little Red River in Arkansas, near Heber Springs and Greers Ferry Lake. Over the weekend I had a conversation that took me back 14 years to the sudden and unexpected death of my father. Although time has helped to heal the pain of loss, I...