Monthly Archives: August 2009

Horse Barns and Holiness

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This morning I went to church in a big horse barn. Wait, let me clarify that. This morning I went to church in a big, building that used to be a horse barn.

I just returned from a three day visit with a long-time friend who lives in the Houston area. Her church recently purchased an equestrian center adjacent to their property. They desperately needed the space to accommodate all the people God has brought – and continues to bring – to join this body of believers. The large stables and riding arena filled the most pressing need – a larger worship center. Read more

Do I treat God like the Stein Mart Lady Treated Me?

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A few days ago I went into a local discount department store (Stein Mart for you shopping aficionados) to buy a birthday gift for a friend. The clerk behind the checkout counter was talking with another employee as I approached with my purchase.

I laid the scarf on the counter. The checkout clerk picked it up and scanned it but continued to talk to her associate. She did not say “hello” or “did you find everything alright.” In fact, she didn’t even look my way. She just continued her conversation with the other lady. Read more

Tattooed for Jesus?

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My two daughters have the same tattoo. They even inspired my seventy-year-old mother to join the “inked” club.

Kelley, our oldest daughter, started it several years ago when she turned eighteen. She ichthusmade her case to us that the ichthus (Christian fish symbol) she wanted to have tattooed on her wrist would be a permanent reminder of Who she belonged to. It would also be a “witnessing too.” Three years later, our second daughter Sarah made the same argument. Read more

Why Don't Men Listen to Women?

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Is it just the crowd I run in or do men in general have a hard time taking advice from women?

Not long ago, a bunch of us helped a couple from our Bible study class pack a rented U-Haul for their move to another city. The men took on the task of getting the truck backed up to the front door for loading. Since there were steps up to the door of the house it sat at just about the same height as the truck bed.

The truck had a ramp that slid out of the back. While the women watched, the guys worked for several minutes trying to get it positioned just right from the truck to the door. But even with all their wrestling with the ramp there was still a bump from the ramp to the truck that would make it difficult to wheel the dolly across.

Then Debbie, one of the watching women spoke up. “If you pull the ramp all the way out of the truck it has hooks on the end to connect it smoothly to the bed.” I heard her clearly but all the men continued their fruitless efforts. They didn’t even look up. Read more

Reason to Celebrate

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The first tears formed as soon as I started down the aisle holding onto my son’s arm. When the bridal party began their procession and the groom came out to stand up front, the tears were rolling down my cheeks. When my husband and the bride appeared at the back of the Wedding Weekend 211chapel it took everything I had not to blubber.

I guess tears are just a mom thing. The wedding marked the joyful beginning of Kelley and Jeremy’s new life together, but in way, it also brought an end. My relationship with my daughter will no longer be the same. She is now a wife with a home of her own. She and Jeremy will build their own family. Their own holiday traditions. My daughter is grown and married. My job of raising Kelley is complete. Read more