Community. Instantly, a barrage of feelings hits me. How can one word provoke such strong reaction? On the positive side, I note: filling, encouraging, blessing. But on the negative: depleting, discouraging, exhausting. Why the disparity, and when is one or the other in effect? When I’m healthy and doing well, community plays a rewarding role in my life. I seek community, absorb from it, …

  “He’s gone.” I’ll never forget the sound of Craig’s voice, how it literally stripped my strength, dropping me to the floor. Our firstborn…our Robb…gone? Sometimes it still feels surreal, but the unremittant pain of desperately missing him–hearing his voice, feeling that hug, sharing the mundane and the highlights of life–all of that forces me to accept the stark reality. Robb is gone. Walking and praying this morning, I was especially …

In relation to this book and movie, I am… 1. Ashamed what our Founding Fathers would think of us on this President’s Day 2. Ashamed of what this says about our country’s morals 3. Ashamed of the record-setting attendance 4. Ashamed of an industry that puts out films like this 5. Ashamed of a people who only encourage the industry …

  I wrote this article years ago for a magazine named Quiet Waters Compass. Quiet Waters, a wonderful ministry to pastors and wives, is now led by our dear friend Scott Thompson. And though this article was originally intended only for pastors’ wives, I think it has applications for all women: women in ministry, women volunteering at churches, women working at parachurch organiztions, and women…well, …

Zechariah’s question haunts me. After he was told about the imminent birth of his son–to be named John, the one who would go before and announce the Messiah’s mission here on earth–Zechariah asked the fateful question, “How can I be sure?” Clearly he did so in disbelief, because Gabriel responded authoritatively, with disciplinary consequence: “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of …

The holidays are fast approaching, and that means December 23 is coming again. It looms over me like a dark, menacing cloud just over my shoulder–bringing feelings of dread and wariness, threatening more. How will it feel this year? I wonder. Will the feelings be just as strong, but different? Or will they be achingly familiar, but not as strong? One …

I never expected this odd consequence of losing my son: I look for Robb everywhere. I’ve traveled across the United States and to several countries overseas since he died nearly four years ago, and everywhere I go–whether it’s around the world or down the street to run errands–I search for him. Constantly. It’s not rational. Of course it’s not. But what driving, covert force compels me to search for men …