Danielle's Spa: Wisdom + Compassion = Love By: Susan Deborah Schiller My granddaughter and I were spending the summer together… I couldn't wait to share with her all my favorite childhood haunts… canoeing on the lake, the local swimming hole called "The Pit," trips to the library, and so much more. Caring for Danielle became […]
{ 6 comments }
What's in a Baby's Name? By: Susan Schiller Photo Credit A name is so important – it's what a child is going to hear all day long for the rest of her life. It's what she will answer to, and it's who she will become. In some cultures, a baby-naming ceremony creates a deeply […]
{ 9 comments }
American Jesus By: Deborah Lionne Photo Credit: Jesus Daily Would Jesus be welcome in a typical American town, today? Would I recognize Him? What would He look like? How would He dress? What kind of car would He be driving? Where would He stay? Who would He hang out with? My town is full of […]
{ 4 comments }
.jpg)
Your Story Matters! By: Susan McKenzie In a cold, harsh world where true unconditional LOVE is more rare than a rosebud in winter, YOUR STORY is that lovely rosebud. Sharing your story is your GIFT to the world! We're going to help you get your life back. Not just an ordinary life, but a thriving, […]
{ 0 comments }
Sharing a Painful Secret Can Relieve Some of the Pain By: Susan McKenzie Photo Credit: Self-Harm Support He walked into our hotel this afternoon, toting a black plastic bag. He asked me for help to get to the Hot Springs State Park. His eyes suddenly watered, as tears began to spill and his story poured […]
{ 4 comments }
Was Yeshua A Great Leader? By: David Grant Photo Credit: David Grant When I think of Yeshua and leadership, I am more than a little mystified. By any standard, modern or historical, He was just awful. For the first 30 years he was just a good, oldest son. No one knew of his remarkable qualities. […]
{ 4 comments }
Photo Credit: David Grant With gratitude to David Grant for the enclosed caricature and story! Story Credit: Author Unknown THE TRIAL OF A PASTOR ON MULTIPLE COUNTS OF EXTORTION (the trial is fictitious but it reveals the truth about tithing as it is taught today) JUDGE: Mr. Jones you have been CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE COUNTS […]
{ 7 comments }
.jpg)
You Can Have A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places By: Susan McKenzie A modern paraphrase of Isaiah 58, based on "The Message" I will SHOUT! A full-throated shout! I will hold nothing back – a trumpet-blast shout! Tell my people what's going wrong with their lives, face my pastors and […]
{ 1 comment }
.jpg)
Voice of the Bride Speaks By: Susan Deborah Schiller Dear Mr. Pat Robertson, In 1979 you brought Barrie McGuire to the 700 Club and he sang a song that still reverberates in my imagination, "The Cosmic Cowboy." It forever changed my life, as He took me by the hand and I became His bride. This […]
{ 16 comments }
Letter to Fellow Pastors By: Pastor Jeff Crippen Editor's Note: The following open letter is written "pastor-to-pastor" but it will benefit all Christians to understand the dynamics of domestic violence in our churches and our proper responses when it happens in our church family. It's no longer a matter of "if" but "when" so let's […]
{ 10 comments }
Despairing and Hoping for the Church By: Aubry Smith Sometimes I struggle with a Church culture that stands like a stone pillar with chicken companies and free speech, yet wilts when asked to stand with the marginalized. I have such anger when I hear furious passion about political candidates (who work for a fading kingdom), […]
{ 6 comments }
.jpg)
In Search of: A Message, A Man, A Meeting By: Vince Coakley The idea for this title belongs to my dear wife, Debbie. As we went for a walk the other day, we discussed the issues that will follow. Just today, I was meditating on the content for this blog posting. The heart behind it […]
{ 9 comments }