I was about 10 years old when I told my father my best friend’s family had invited me to go with them to church. I was so excited! I had never been to church. I didn’t know what church was but I was curious and I told them I would ask my Dad if I could go.

When I asked him all he said was the church was full of hypocrites and he wouldn’t allow me to go. I asked what a hypocrite was? I won’t go into his uncomfortable and colorful detail but I walked away feeling discouraged and sad. My friend and her family seemed like such nice people, how could they be what my father said they were?

Since then I’ve met many people who say the same thing. “I wouldn’t be caught dead in a church, only hypocrites go to church.” “I’ve tried church, it isn’t for me, there are too many hypocrites.”

It’s nearly 2017! Yikes! Where has 2016 gone?

We often look to a new year as a source of hope to bring about change in our lives. The new year is going to be great! Out with the old, in with the new! But what about the previous 12 months? What happened in those 365 days? It seems the old year gets kicked to the curb! Didn’t anything good happen in the old year? Why does the new year get all the glory and a party?

Instead of a new year celebration, how about a celebration of the old year? How about a party where everyone congratulates the old year? Yay old year! Good job old year! (can you hear me blowing one of those loud party favor gizmos?) Woo hoo!

You might think I’m kidding here, but I’m really not...

When I was a child it was often said that politics and religion were two subjects one should not discuss with too many people. I didn’t understand why then, but I’ve seen why over the years and, even more so, during this most recent political season.

Do you have a Facebook page? Have you “unfriended” people over things they’ve posted during this highly flammable election season? Many have.

I made a decision during the general election to not post or comment on anything political. Social media has made it too easy for people to express views in much more hateful ways than they would if they were having an actual face to face conversation. The old saying, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” needs to make a comeback.

In my lifetime I’ve been called foolish, by...

We’re nearing the end of one of the most heated election cycles the United States has ever experienced. What saddens me most is knowing many relationships are now fractured because of it. We have the privilege and right to vote in this country, yet we stomp on it with hateful objection when someone has the audacity to have an opinion different than our own.

I’ve had political discussions with other Christ followers whom I do not totally agree with. One such conversation turned a bit harsh on both our parts, but we quickly shared grace with one another and chose to humbly disagree.

Healthy debate is good, especially when it’s followed by respect for the other view. We never stop learning! My husband, for instance, has taught me more about politics than anyone else in my lifetime...

Single mothers often feel alone and unseen. It’s just a fact. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

When I was raising my son without his father, it was often a roller coaster of emotions. I would go for long stretches of time being quite content in my role as single mom. I was able to handle life as I knew it and it felt good to be independent and take good care of my son on my own.

Now and then the ugly monster of loneliness would show up. Did anyone see me? Did anyone know I was lonely? Oh, how I hated those days when contentment would fade.

I was incredibly fortunate to have many friends, some single too, some married, to reach out to and do things with when loneliness would creep in...