Posts Tagged ‘hope’
When God seems silent: quieting the noise
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. ~ Psalm 41:11 The other afternoon, my husband shared an observation: “God’s been silent…” Though I was quick to remind him of the Lord’s divine interruption several years…
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Claiming victory: resting in His finished work on the cross
During Easter weekend, my husband and I watched An Easter Bloom, a sweet Hallmark movie about love and forgiveness. The hero, Pastor Derrick, had been unable to forgive himself for a mistake and to share his authentic self with his congregation. I realized how often I, too, hide behind my laptop screen, hesitant to be…
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A ‘word’ for 2025: the compass for directing our paths
For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on my vision board for 2025, with a “word” serving as my navigational tool. From there, I choose an overarching scripture verse to inform the year ahead. Some years, it’s proven a simple process, but this year my family experienced a bumpy start, including challenges and setbacks…
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New month, new opportunities: holiday housekeeping
Happy November! In today’s post, I’m doing a little holiday housekeeping by offering a sneak peek on what to expect in this month’s newsletter—from a new release giveaway by author Tina Radcliffe—who I’ve fangirled over for more than a decade now—to a festive Thanksgiving-themed downloadable for the whole family, to a tasty holiday recipe you…
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Thirty-six years and counting: a love story for the books
Today my husband, Bob and I celebrate 36 years of marriage. A part-time job at a retail catalog store in a Minneapolis suburb served as the setting for our “meet cute,” and 11 months later we said our “I do’s” at a Twin Cities courthouse on a blustery afternoon. The rest has unfolded into a…
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Two decades in the making: an anniversary from death to life
It’s that time of year when I jump on my soapbox to discuss abstaining from drinking and driving. If you’re unfamiliar with my family’s story, you may contact Guideposts’ customer service to special order Exploring God’s Promises–Hope, which includes our true story based on God’s promise never to leave His children, and how that promise…
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Hope deferred is not hope denied: good things come to those who wait
This summer, I’ve been busy writing proposals for a Guideposts’ imprint, submitting short stories to Woman’s World, and plotting a third Harlequin Love Inspired novel. In addition, I’m revising my second book under contract! THE FIRE CHIEF’S SURPRISE, a July 2025 release, has been more than a year in the making, my hopes deferred along…
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Better late than never: pursuing our dreams
I consider myself a “late bloomer” as it pertains to chasing my dream of becoming a published author. Since I was a little girl, however, I’ve wanted to be a writer. I finally pursued this dream seriously when I returned to school in my mid-40s and earned my B.A. in literature, writing & film, followed…
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Strong and courageous: readjusting expectations when answered prayers fall short
Recently I shared with Facebook readers and newsletter subscribers about “Strong and Courageous,” a new story of mine featured in Guideposts’ forthcoming book “Exploring God’s Promises: Hope,” which follows my family’s account of God’s promise fulfilled—in the midst of trauma and uncertainty—after my husband was hit by a drunk driver and resuscitated at the scene.…
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Sharing the load: tips to combat discouragement
I recently attended a webinar presented by another author entitled “Encouragement for Writers.” Not only did I walk away equipped with tools to combat discouragement in my creative practice, but I also received validation through the collective stories shared by other writers that I’m not alone. But I also believe the takeaways expressed by the…
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