DEEP WATERS

My last two weeks have been full of household appliance repairs, a car in need of repairs, ministry strains, etc, etc. On top of that, I've experienced disappointment in my writing career. But that's a story for another blog... So this past Sunday, after a quick nap, I did what any fed-up-with-real-life woman would do. I went to the movies. And not any old movie. A comedy. I chose to see "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" , based on the book by comedian-turned-actor-turned-radio host-turned-bestselling author Steve Harvey . Let me first say, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I enjoyed the humor, the fresh take on relationships, and the  all-star cast of upperly-mobile African American folks. So today, I thought I'd take a look at the movie -- what I'd take away and what I'd leave. Take Aways First of all, the movie was terribly funny. Despite the profanity (I've gotten pretty sensitive to profanity in my older age), I found myself lau...

This week we've experienced the ending of two careers. Icon Dick Clark , considered an ambassador of American pop culture, died this past Wednesday from a heart attack. And Patricia "Pat" Head Summitt announced  her retirement from her 38-year coaching career at the University of Tennessee, due to her diagnosis of early-onset dementia, Alzheimer's type eight months ago. During her career, Summitt led her Lady Vols to 1,098 wins, more than any other coach in NCAA history -- in men's and women's basketball. This year, President Obama will honor her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. What can we learn from Pat Summitt's amazing career? Do Not Despise the Day of Small Beginnings Women's basketball has come a long way since Pat began coaching. During her first year, she earned a meager $250 a month. The program offered her few resources, but she worked well with very little. In fact, her first team w...

This morning God laid something heavy on my heart. Maybe it's because I have a good friend that's currently walking through this scary forest. Maybe it's because I've walked through the same overgrown brush and thistles that she's walking through now. Maybe because I've walked it not just once -- but twice. For whatever reason, God laid this topic on my heart. So today, I want to share a few words about miscarriage... from someone who's been there. (Feel free to share this with your husbands. They may find a few clues about how to love you well through this time.) I don't claim to have all the answers or the perfect scriptures to set things right again for you, but I can share what God did in my heart and life during that dark, cold and lonely walk. I fought my feelings of GUILT There's something about tragedy that makes us blame ourselves. I remember worrying that maybe I'd worked out too much or maybe I had eaten too many McDonald's...

Bubba Watson with Mom Molly after Masters Win When a long-time pro like Phil Mickelson hits  a disastrous shot like the one on Sunday that landed him deep in the woods and another shot in the bunker, obviously something's gone awry. And when the name of Tiger Woods,  four-time wearer of the green Masters jacket,  fails to grace the list of top scorers, one might question the alignment of the solar system. And... when an underdog like  Bubba Watson sneaks up and  snatches that green jacket from veteran golfers from around the world, you know there's something amazing going on behind the scenes. My thoughts? God loves an underdog. Throughout history, people with lesser means, less training, less opportunities have often risen to the top of their game. Some call it raw talent. Some call it luck. Some call it providence. In the case of Bubba Watson, I think God might be up to something. And here's why: Bubba Proves That Anyone Can Dream If y...

As a skinny little girl in pigtails, I never understood the "Seven Last Words." "If there were seven last words, why in the world is the preacher saying so many words?" I'd think. No longer a skinny little girl in pigtails, I've come to know the Savior that spoke those last words. I thought I'd share a few words about each of the seven words with you on Good Friday, and more importantly, right before Easter Sunday. I. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do A powerful first word from our Savior. Can you imagine His eyes surveying the crowd as He spoke those words?  His mother Mary, his beloved friend John and other loved ones surely wept until they had no more tears. But His enemies were there too -- jeering and casting insults. And how did He respond? With mercy and grace. Oh, may our lives reflect the heart of our Savior. May we be vessels of mercy and grace -- not only for our loved ones, but for those that reject and oppos...