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Maintenance leads to decline.  I’ve been a runner since my senior year of high school when the new tennis coach took conditioning to another level. Since then, I’ve run five marathons, numerous 5Ks, and a few half marathons.  Years have passed since my last marathon. I’ve been in maintenance mode. My times have slowed. My…

Thank goodness for GPS. I find it indispensable as I navigate DFW. Normally I don’t travel too far from my cozy suburb in north Fort Worth, but sometimes school and my favorite daughter require a trip to the dark side—Dallas. When I miss a turn, the GPS faithfully reroutes me. The sooner I turn around,…

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NIV The class should have come with a label: Hazardous to Your Health. Your spiritual health.  I needed two hours of World Missions credit for my master’s degree, so I jumped at…

For three weeks, we’ve examined the account of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah in Genesis 29-30. Today, let’s look at some what-ifs.  What if Jacob had led spiritually? What if Jacob had accepted Leah and had honored her as the mother of his children? What if Rachel had empathized with her sister instead of blaming her,…

If anyone’s story gives hope, it’s Leah’s.  Dominated by her father.  Unloved by her husband. Resented by her sister. Leah had been given a tough row to hoe. She continually hit the wall of Jacob’s rejection. Her heart bruised, we see Leah’s spiritual journey through her children. Their names walk us through her struggle: Leah…

Rachel. The chosen one. Jacob’s beloved. So beloved that Genesis 29:20 tells us, “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” (My husband and I also dated seven years. It did not seem like only a few days.) Genesis 29:30 says,…

This story had the makings for the perfect romance. A son on the run from a murderous brother in search of his extended family. A beautiful girl on the horizon. An answer to his prayers. Love at first sight. The young man worked seven years for his true love. Finally, the wedding night arrived. It…

Connection. Sometimes it’s the difference between failing or hanging tough to fight another day. In the first part of Navy SEAL training, the guys have timed runs. If a trainee doesn’t consistently hit the required time, he’s dropped from the program. If a guy performs well overall, but struggles to hit his times, his fellow…

Pacing. Not my strength. I had filled my plate of commitments to overflowing this semester and I am spent. I’m the puppy that plays full tilt then collapses in a heap on the floor.  I need to recharge. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually.  I wish I could recharge quickly. I ended the spring semester on Weds.…

A name in a program. A bronze plaque by the door. A shout-out at the monthly meeting. Credit. It dangles like a carrot in front of us. The acknowledgment of good deeds, hard work, or generous donations. The pat on the back feels good. It speaks of approval, respect, and value. The question becomes, would…