We gathered as family groups in the large student center. I was Laura Thirty-Six, age 15, and soon got acquainted with my sister Jenny (age 13) and widowed Dad, Mike (age 37). Our situation looked bleak from the outset. Dad was out of work and collecting unemployment. His check didn't even cover our rent - nonetheless food, utilities, gas or medical expenses. Desperate to provide for … [Read more...]
Guns….According to Jesus
February 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I live in Montana so as you might imagine, guns are just a natural part of living. It's almost as if one's first breath of Montana air – either as a transplant or native-born – triggers an automatic gun-toting, gun-loving mentality. Not quite, but almost. My friends from other states – states lacking equivalent gun-allurement – endlessly joke, and curiously question whether I, a … [Read more...]
Banishing the Darkness
December 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
"Banishing the Darkness: Where Do We Go From Here?" was recently published on Huffington Post - take a look. Twice this week I have watched with horror the Twitter feed, Facebook status updates and live online reporting of events that exposed the rampant evil in our world. Shootings at Clackamas Town Center in Portland. Massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. … [Read more...]
My 40th Birthday Wish
March 18, 2012 By 1 Comment
Today I turned forty. When I was a kid, forty sounded really old. Now that I've made it to that "really old age", it doesn't hardly seem old at all. In fact, I feel like I'm just getting started on life. It's just in the last year that I've discovered a real love for ministry, for writing, and for speaking. It's just in the last year that I've gotten serious about pursuing these … [Read more...]
Picnic on Sunday: When Life Interrupts
March 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The minutes were ticking by faster than I was making progress. It was Sunday afternoon and my planned day of final sermon prep, studying and co-rec volleyball games overwhelmed the remaining hours. With the sun shining in the windows and rare 70F spring temperatures, focusing on the undone work ahead required the utmost in concentration. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. … [Read more...]
