Heart Choices Today

Flourishing in Life's Second Half

2012-02-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

"I want to live to be 100," I told a girlfriend ... 50 years ago.Now, past the half-way mark to that age, I'm not sure I have the same goal. This body of mine is not cooperating. But I'm not about to give up! I want to flourish and thrive in my latter years.The key to flourishing is never retiring from the Kingdom of God. Until God calls us home, we still have purpose, whether it is as a prayer

Stewardship of 'Our Stuff'

2012-02-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

When my little Jack Russell Terrier, Bailey, died unexpectedly a few summers ago, I was heartbroken; but God gave me a great, comforting sense that I had been a good "steward" of one of His little creatures. God reminded me that all that I own belongs to Him ~ including pets ~ and that I am simply His manager. I was simply blessed for a season to care for little Bailey.I've had a sense of that

Longing for Home

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

We've all heard catchy slogans about home, like "Home is where the heart is" and "Love begins at home." My favorite Christmas pillow bears one of them: "All hearts come home for Christmas."After a marvelous vacation to Israel ~ something we looked forward to for years ~ my husband I nonetheless sighed with contentment as we returned from the airport and drove into our driveway. No matter where we

I'm Eager for My New Name

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

On October 22, more than 200 young girls in India lined up in their best clothes for a ceremony in that gave them new dignity ~ a new identity. The 285 girls received a certificate bearing a new name. Many of these girls had names like "Nakusa" or "Nakushi", which mean "unwanted" in Hindi, but now they have chosen names with much happier meanings.The ceremony was also designed to help fight the

Post-Abortion Syndrome Makes Sense

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

As I spoke with a woman about the consequences of sin, she acknowledged that she had been extremely promiscuous in her youth. As a young woman, when she discovered she was pregnant ~ and she didn't know who the father of her unborn child was ~ she decided to abort the baby. Then she told me about the years of pain and guilt that followed.The guilt and consequences of sin can come knocking on our

'Chrislam' Makes No Sense

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Leaders in Christianity and Islam have met together for months to try to create a new religion ~ an ecumenical merger of two opposing creeds. They call it "Chrislam."A Christian Coalition's newsletter reported that 130 Christian leaders in 22 states have already joined the "Chrislam" bandwagon. Christians and Muslims worship the same God, they say, and both religions are essentially the same:

Branding vs. Daily Obedience

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Branding is a hot topic that sometimes leave me cold.I read quite a few books and articles about branding last year ~ the best being Branding Faith by Phil Cooke, which explains why some churches and nonprofits impact the culture and others don't ~ and I see the benefit of branding to connect with our audience and communicate our message. I love Cooke's closing words: "Don't give your audience

Five Ways to Anticipate the New Year

2011-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

What are you anticipating for the new year?In just a few days, 2012 will sweep into your life announcing warnings of dreadful things ahead (including doomsday reports). But you will also hear hope for the future and promises of God to claim for a positive, fruitful year.What you embrace for this new year is really up to you. What you "receive" into your mind and heart will likely determine how

Feed Your 5 Senses & Spirit at Christmas

2011-12-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

What do you remember at Christmas growing up? What memories have you created since those Christmases? As I think back to the collage of my Christmas memories, I remember the scent of pine trees and cinnamon cookies; the sounds of carolers, the Salvation Army kettle bell, and a crackling fire; the taste of mulled cider and Christmas ham; and the sight of Christmas cards, colorful ornaments, and

Praise for Jesus' Father ... the Earthly One

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

I am involved with several women's ministries, but that doesn't mean I don't care about the spiritual state of men. It's important to me that men today follow hard after God and grow in character and integrity.That is why, as I think about Christmas, my mind keeps returning to Jesus' earthly father, Joseph. Unlike the Old Testament Joseph, we know little about this man that God ordained to care

In Praise of Bubble Wrap

2011-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

I had to laugh recently when I read an email about Bubble Wrap usage (and I will not share the link, because some uses are not too nice); but among the clever suggestions that made me smile are these:Bubble wrapping underneath the wallpaper can prevent it hurting so much when you hit your head against the wall in frustration.Shower curtain for freeNew-age beaded car seatsCarry it around as an

5 "Get Ready Gracefully" Choices before Christmas

2011-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Choices are especially important during the holidays so we can enjoy them and not "stress out" or fall apart. There are five choices I make that encourage and energize me. I hope they'll help you "Get Ready Gracefully," too.(1) Get Busy Earlier Rather Than Later. Make a List of all that you will need to do, under topics, right after Thanksgiving (or even before!)Send your Christmas cards out

Let's Get Gratitudinal

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Leadership specialist Michael Hyatt carries a rock with him, in his pocket, to remind him to be grateful for whatever is happening in his life. Whenever his hand touches the "gratitude rock," he thanks God for his immediate circumstances ~ whether good or bad. It's a wonderful idea. I have a little figurine on my desk that reminds me to be grateful, too.I've read a lot of "Attitude of Gratitude"

Gratitude's Link to Humility

2011-11-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

As I've watched various groups of protesters on television the past few weeks, I've noticed that there are some who seek the simplest things ... and others who are power-hungry and wish to bring America down.But one of the themes that keeps jumping out at me is the ingratitude of people. It's as if they're shouting, "It's not fair ... life owes me!"Don't misunderstand me. I know that times are

What America Can Learn from the Persecuted Church

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

November 13 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). The global persecuted Body of Christ has always been dear to my heart. I prayed for the Russian underground church back in the 1970s when I was in college, and God continues to lay the needs of His children around the world on my prayer list.As an adult, I am grateful for ministries that continue to reach out to

Kathi Macias, God's Warrior Scribe

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, I want to share an interview with Dr. Carl Moeller of Open Doors about the Persecuted Church today and what it can teach us in America; but I don't want this year's International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) to pass by (November 13) without praise for a precious, insightful series of books on this topic.After I read Kathi Macias' first book in her "Extreme Devotion"

Following God 'Yes by Yes'

2011-11-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

I met Connie Cavanaugh at an AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) meeting. She is a friend of my friend, author Kathy Howard. I was attracted to her sweet smile and enthusiasm, but I sensed right away that she was a woman of depth and character. That assessment was confirmed as I read her book, Following God One Yes at a Time.A long paragraph tucked into Chapter 7 summed up the book

Memories of The Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite memories back in the Midwest ~ I now live in Southern California ~ is of visits to the "The Pumpkin Patch." It was such a time of joy.The one I visited in Indiana was more than just rows and rows of pumpkins of all sizes. There were also:Pumpkin treats (pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, packets of roasted pumpkin seeds, etc.)Bushels of apples, apple

Are Donuts Your Bread of Life?

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

This title, taken from a book on weight loss, is all too true for many. In America's abundance, we've substituted the temporary satisfaction of "sweets" ~ passing fancies ~ for the true, lasting bread from heaven, and with devastating results. Overeating is just one sign of our indulgence.Overeating is a growing problem ~ pun intended.According to statistics, nearly two-thirds of US adults are

Riding Life's Roller Coaster

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

My husband, son, daughter-in-love and I sat in the backyard a few weeks ago, laughing hard. My oldest granddaughter Megan, enjoying a day at Magic Mountain with the church youth group, apparently made an accidental call on her cell phone while riding a roller coaster. We heard the delighted squeals and screams and she and a friend went up and down on the scary coaster.Later, she sent me a cell

God's Design for Marriage is Countercultural

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

In 1976, a woman named Janeane Swift of Los Angeles married a 50-pound rock! The ceremony was witnessed by around 20 people.A woman who calls herself "Erika La Tour Eiffel" married the Eiffel Tower in a ceremony in 2008 in Paris. In the ceremony, she promised to love, honor, and obey the iron monument. (In Erika's case, she has a psychological disorder. Objects, unlike people, won't let them down

The Inspiring Pastor behind 'Courageous' (Part 2)

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is a continuation of the Heart Choices Today post (September 21, 2011) ~ my conversation with Michael Catt, executive producer of the new film, Courageous.Me: I know that Vance Havner and Manley Beasley influenced your life; they were your mentors. Can men become courageous without having strong mentors. Catt: Some can, but I think it is our responsibility to mentor. Paul said to Timothy: “

The Inspiring Pastor behind 'Courageous' (Part 1)

2011-09-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

How is courage related to revival? This is one of the questions I asked a pastor who is at the forefront in making Christian films.As I attended the International Christian Retail Show in July, one of the highlights of my visit was time with Michael Catt. We sat down for an interview for Christian Examiner, but I also asked him more personal questions about his heart for revival, because I sat

You'll Always Need Four Legs

2011-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Rothchild's book Self Talk, Soul Talk spoke volumes to me about my need to identify negative self talk and replace it with biblical "soul talk.""The truth is," she wrote, "our self talk actually begins to shape the life we live, affecting our very destiny.... Words are extremely powerful ~ even the ones you speak to yourself." (p. 13) Rothchild uses the analogy of a "Thought Closet," and

'Father' God, Rejected by the UCC

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

I always begin my prayers with the words "Father God."In doing so, I acknowledge two things ~ I humbly acknowledge that God is my Sovereign, my Master; and I express gratitude that God is my Heavenly Father.Apparently, the United Church of Christ (UCC) would not be comfortable with my prayer.According to a report from Eric Anderson on the denomination's website, delegates to the UCC's "General

God Doesn't Waste a Thing!

2011-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, I need to read a "kick in the pants" book ~ something that reignites my dreams and helps me focus on worthwhile goals and priorities. Kathi Lipp's book, The Me Project, just did that for me. (1) I'll have a drawing for a copy of the book on September 3rd. Share a comment about why you think you need a "kick in the pants" to accomplish one of your goals, and I'll enter you

Think Biblically about Having Children

2011-08-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

In July, I just missed the opportunity to meet one of my favorite television families, the Duggars. I was interviewing someone at exactly the same time the Duggars had their press conference concerning their new book, A Love That Multiplies. They appear on TLC's hit show, "19 Kids & Counting." Michelle and Jim Bob share their homespun tips for raising children, strategically dropping in truth

Worldviews and Government

2011-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have to admit it ~ I'm a political junkie. I love everything about the crazy season ~ the year or two before national elections. I watched the recent Republican debate before the straw vote in Iowa like an Australian Sheepdog eying a flock of unpredictable sheep. I long for some discernment in my "addiction," so I searched the scriptures, looking for wisdom and clarity. I discovered that

A Plea for Modest Dress in the Church

2011-08-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

The topic of modesty today invites three basic responses: rolled eyes, rationalization, or an emphatic "yes!" David and Diane Vaughan discuss this topic in their book, The Beauty of Modesty: cultivating Virtue in the Face of a Vulgar Culture (Cumberland House, 2005). The Vaughans are bold and clear as they take on the problem of immodesty in the culture, and especially, in the church. Beyond

Desperate for God's Glory

2011-08-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Cindi McMenamin wrote a powerful book to encourage women who feel desperate for change and direction, titled Women on the Edge: Turning Desperate Times into Desire for God (Harvest House Publishers, 2010). She tackles the desperate drives that can devastate ~ desperation for more, for control, for fulfillment, for change, for love, etc. ~ and she explains how to survive these drives and lean hard

Singles, Resting in God's Sovereign Love

2011-07-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege, this past Sunday, to see one of my nieces marry a man who loves the Lord. I remember days, long ago, when Jamie and I talked about her heart's desire for marriage, and I am glad that the Lord blessed her to become Jeff's wife.Her heart is overflowing with love for her young man, but even more, her heart is focused on God, from whom all blessings flow.As I sat in the wedding,

How Can You Support Your Pastor's Wife?

2011-07-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love my pastor's wife. She is a godly, discreet woman who has her priorities straight. I was moved to pray for her today after I read a challenge posted at Revive Our Hearts' women's ministry.The document begins: "A pastor’s wife is often in the shadow of the man who fills the pulpit every Sunday. Most of the time, she is pleased that God has called her husband to this place of selfless service

A Confession about Bible Reading

2011-07-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

On July 1st, I joined a group of women in reading through the Bible in 90 days. I decided to read through the English Standard Version, I told one of the women, "because I've never read through that version before."Actually, I'd never read through ANY version before!Oh, I've read large chunks of the Word. I've studied portions of the Bible ~ whole books. I've researched topics. I've even written

The Secret to Contentment

2011-07-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

The Puritan preacher, Jeremiah Burroughs, wrote in his book, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, that contentment is "that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition."I appreciated the definition, but I wanted to flesh it out a bit, so I looked for articles about the topic. Then, last December, I

What About the Founding Mothers?

2011-06-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

As I was writing a patriotic blog post for Independence Day a week ago, I mentioned the Founding Fathers. Suddenly, I thought, "What about the Founding Mothers?" Who were the women who stood behind their men as these courageous gentlemen shaped America's beginnings.It's not a new thought. ABC News political commentator Cokie Roberts wrote a book, Founding Mothers (which I do not necessarily

Embracing My Grandmotherhood

2011-06-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love being a "Grammy" and enjoying fun, family gatherings ... and especially quiet times alone with each grandchild.As we sat as an extended family around a campfire on Father's Day, roasting marshmallows for s'mores, I watched my three granddaughters and smiled at their uniqueness. One raced in and out of the area ~ first taking a bicycle ride, then stopping to entertain family, and then

America, Seriously Broken

2011-06-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Respected evangelical voices recently urged a return in America to God and biblical values. Franklin Graham wrote, "