“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 FIFTEEN YEARS AGO I had breast cancer. Fifteen years ago, on October 17th, 2009, I finished my last chemo treatment, and the following Saturday walked the...

I’m a native Floridian, transplanted to the great state of Texas 20 years ago. You know I love Texas, but a big part of my heart will always live in Florida. Nearly all of my family are scattered around the state; most of them, and...

October is my favorite month of the year. But this year, October has begun with tragedy and heartache on so many levels. Hurricane Helene has been a life-wrecker of epic proportions. The war in the Middle East is at a boiling point. Our country is...

Hurricane Helene plowed into the gulf side of my beloved home-state of Florida Thursday night. She was angry. Cruel. Relentless. Spewing violent winds that yanked up 200 year old oak trees as easily as you yank up a weed in your garden, sending surges of...

The lovely young woman behind the counter said she was obsessed. I asked, “You’re what…possessed?” She said, “Oh, no, you know, obsessed, like, it’s just a totally awesome eye cream. Here, feel it…it’s like amaaaaazing! I’m obsessed! You’ve got to try it! You’ll be obsessed! I think...

Well, it’s been a week. Last Friday I read the most beautiful prayer in one of my favorite books, A Diary of Private Prayer. Here’s a portion of it: O, God, you have proved your love for all people by sending us Jesus Christ our Lord… Help me,...

“Don’t smile so much,” she warned me, “you’ll get wrinkles.” The woman, whose name escapes me, suggested that I relax my face muscles, draw my chin slightly downward while softly raising my eyebrows in order to bring a pleasant look to my face without actually smiling. You’re trying that...

Over the years I’ve encouraged thousands of people with the strong Truth from God’s Word—in person, in my writing and speaking, through social media, text messages, cards, and face to face. Just last week, I shared Habakkuk 3:19 with a dear friend of mine who...