Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Certain things always put a smile on my face. What about you? What causes you to smile? Is it small things, big things, or some of both? Who could you make a list with? You’ll learn a lot about the person’s priorities, desires, and joys and they’ll learn a lot about yours. You’ll see the core needs showing up in your list. Dads holding children’s hands. Grandchildren hugging grandparents’ necks when saying goodbye. Young teens playing with yo-yos in the airport to pass time rather than texting or playing a game on a hand-held device. (This is such a fun memory for me to come back to.) The first buds on a … [Read more...]
Security Is Best Placed Among The Trustworthy
May 21, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Fifty. Thirty-seven. Two more. Another one! A total of 90. My parents’ nativity was displayed on the built-in buffet at the end of the dining room every December until they moved. Made in Italy, they purchased it early in their marriage. I have fond memories of it. I now own it. It’s okay to like and appreciate things. It’s dangerous and unhealthy to place security in our things. In 1994, I was privileged to take my first trip overseas. In Manila, I spoke at a large convention for Christian school teachers and then to teachers at a boarding school for missionary children. On a day off, the group … [Read more...]
Being Intentional With Your Social Life
January 18, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Being Intentional With Your Social Life In Monday’s post, I wrote about needing to refill my emotional tank after a people-full and people-busy Christmas break. Doing so was essential to my self-security and ability to belong in healthy ways to others. This same topic is relevant to multiple intelligences. You might be able to relate. I’m people smart so I do most of my best thinking and problem solving when talking with others. Bouncing ideas back and forth and asking and answering questions are keys to my discovering new ideas and becoming more sure of their significance. Therefore, I often … [Read more...]
Is There Any Candy Left?
November 7, 2011 by · 1 Comment
A week ago, the big deal was Halloween candy. Adults talked about it. What kind should we pass out? Where should our children go trick-or-treating? How much candy will they get? How much should we allow them to eat daily? And, our children and students talked a lot about it. Is tomorrow the day we get to go trick-or-treating? How much candy do you think I’ll get? Do I get to eat everything I collect? I hope I get a lot of my favorites! A week later, is any candy left? Is it still a big deal? The center of attention? The focus of conversations? I doubt it. You know what I wish? Although some seasonal priorities and conversations are totally appropriate, I hope there are some more important topics that are pre-eminent year-round. … [Read more...]
Inside Out
September 6, 2011 by · 2 Comments
When preparing to wash a load of clothes the other day, I followed directions and remembered to turn one of my tops inside out. When I did, it’s as if I heard God ask, “Kathy, what would people see if I turned you inside out?” I think the question was prompted by my concern about people’s obsession with their appearances. According to 1 Samuel 16:7, God looks at our heart. I had been asking God to help me examine, value, and prioritize what He does. Magazine covers trumpet the ease and value of plastic surgery. News broadcasts and television talk-shows are devoted to dieting and losing weight through surgical procedures. An entire television show, Extreme Makeover (the first of the "makeover" shows), is designed to give men … [Read more...]
Intentional Choices – Who We Spend Time With, Who We Give a Voice To
July 8, 2011 by · 2 Comments
I bet you young people sometimes have problems to solve and decisions to make. When you want good advice, who do you call, email, or go see? Who has God given you to help you? Don’t answer out loud . . . just think your answers. Do you have any habits you need to break? Maybe there is a sin you’ve gotten good at. This is not good! What about things you don’t do that you know you should? Do you have thoughts you shouldn’t have? Desires that are not pleasing to God? What does God want you to change? Who can help you? Keep thinking.Let me give you an example. When I was in the bush country of Senegal, West Africa, I met a woman who was a new Christian. Ndeba’s home was like a small shed. To me, her life appeared difficult. … [Read more...]
Of Circus Lions and a Busy Life
June 6, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Even outside the convention center, the atmosphere was different. People weren’t milling about because a concert was about to begin. No, we were there to see the circus. My friend and I hadn’t been to a circus in a long time. We were given free tickets, so why not attend? We knew we’d find something to enjoy, plus we’d get to eat peanuts and hot dogs. They’re just better at events like this. Once it started, there was so much to look at. Sometimes the feast for our eyes made it hard to concentrate. What if we looked too long in that direction and missed something over there? Even when there was just one act to watch, there was a lot going on. Add to our busy eyes the reality that our ears were being filled with loud and … [Read more...]
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