The month of February defies time. It is the shortest month of the year with only 28 days, but winter weather woes, Super Bowl woes, and Valentine’s Day woes can drag February painfully on. The short month further confuses us with the Groundhog Day syndrome (immortalized by the Bill Murray movie) and a 29th day of the month that only happens every four years. What to do!?! Blog about it!
Scripture speaks much about time. God is the author of time, though in His divinity He is beyond our human limitations of time. God is not a Father Time; that was Chronos, a figure out of Greek mythology. Our God of the ages is the “Ancient of Days*,” and He points us to (a sampling of) His perspectives on time, beginning with my favorite:
Teach us to number our days [aright], that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90 v 12 (Note – this verse is a prayer or request of God)
My times are in Your Hands. Psalm 31 v 15
The seasons chapter, a time for everything. Ecclesiastes 3
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3 v 8
“I am the Alpha and Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1 v 8
May God’s Word sustain your days and weeks. I will continue this post in a few …
February roared in like a lion (oops, that’s March) with a rare coastal snowstorm!
Over the Christmas holidays, an experience brought to mind the Biblical principle of hospitality. Possible blog post topics pop into my head, and I often let them formulate for days, or weeks, before I finally put my thoughts into writing. As I ruminated on the topic of hospitality, the word surfaced in my Bible study as a desired quality in leadership (Titus 1 v 8). Days later, hospitality was the theme in a devotional I’m currently reading. For me, that was enough confirmation to pen the blog!
It’s OK that none of us has a grand foyer like The Mandarin Oriental.
As I mentioned, after Christmas we experienced overnight hospitality with close friends from our DC days. Halfway through our two-day drive home, we arrived at their house depleted of emotional and physical energy. Approaching the front stoop and entering their purple foyer, I felt relief at being “home,” as I later shared in a thank you note. The familiar surroundings, the memories, the dear friendship and warm welcome ministered deeply. There we’ve sat by fires in the fireplace and cookouts on the porch. We landed there the night we left our family home for the last time and munched leftover Halloween candy in our exhaustion. The guest room often welcomes me with a special treat from the hostess, and the host makes sure we help ourselves to the tea drawer. Being able to spend the night in their home and catch breakfast together before hitting the road again is the spiritual gift of hospitality: sharing out of God’s provision to others in the family of Christ.
While specific spiritual gifts are given especially to some, the New Testament calls all Christians to be hospitable. Romans 12 v 13 says, “Practice hospitality.” I do not think that means doing routines like piano or soccer practice, rather the instruction suggests making hospitality part of your way of life. Unfortunately, hospitality seems threatening to many due to the likes of Martha Stewart in my day and Joanna Gaines these days. We get the idea that everything must be perfect: the food, the décor, and the beautiful hostess. But this is not God’s hospitality plan. Biblical hospitality is genuine and unassuming, from a humble heart and even a humble abode. I encourage you to practice it: have a friend in for coffee, a family over for supper or host a mid-winter party. Scripture says you might even entertain angels unaware (Hebrews 13 v 2)!
I listened to a podcast recently on the friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, two 20th century English authors (Lindsay Mast interviewing Joseph Loconte, The World and Everything In It, link below). Specifically, the discussion centered on the context of their friendship and a shared mission that developed. They were Oxford professors building a friendship in the 1930’s, as British foundational beliefs in humanity, Judeo-Christian values and human purpose declined, followed by isolationism and apathy toward Hitler’s rise in power, before eventually facing the threat of German invasion, the terror of the bombing of London.
Into this time period, the two men, Lewis and Tolkien, forged a deep relationship, grappling with the problems of their day, concerned about the demise of a classic Christian worldview, and asking how in their university setting with their limited assets they could fight back. They agreed they could write! They could write stories reflecting the great story; stories that demonstrated goodness over evil, fighting for what is right, heroism in a pure form. The result was Lewis’s space trilogy Out of the Silent Planet and Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Armed with their thoughts and a pen (or a typewriter) they produced a mighty advance, “a beachhead of resistance against the ideological madness that is (was) all around them.” (Loconte)
The modern acclaim for these two esteemed intellectual authors clouds the reality that they really didn’t start with much. They could only endeavor to take a stab at a large and looming moral collapse with the sword of their pen, their writing skills (Ephesians 2 v 10 ). But oh my, how God used and continues to use their stories to point readers to God’s redemptive story, the real savior, Jesus Christ!
Using what you have, the competence and forte of your background, your mind, and your heart, to participate in God’s kingdom is the call of Christ followers. Years ago, I heard Rick Warren preach a sermon on Moses’ calling. When Moses, joined by his brother Aaron, did not think he had much to offer as God called him, he was asked what they had on hand. Aaron held a staff or a walking stick, and the Lord told him to throw it down, where it immediately became a live, writhing snake! God used Moses’ one asset when Moses was willing to respond.
The feature photo and this one were taken in Oxford, England. This is the door of Magdalen College, where C.S. Lewis taught.
This is what I pray for myself in the New Year: in interviewer Lindsay Mast’s words to “meet the forces of evil in starting where we are and doing what we can with what we have.” Loconte agreed, quoting Ecclesiastes, “Cast your bread upon the waters.” (Ecclesiastes 11 v 1) Blessings and Godspeed for your 2026 endeavors, Brenda
When I was growing up, my family was close friends with the McIntyre family. Bob and Mary were sweet Southerners, deeply committed to the Lord, through church and family. Bob was a successful educator, having founded a school early in the movement to develop special education for learning disabilities. Mary joined him in business and education endeavors. They raised two boys in the DC area where my family also lived.
Bob’s back story was surprising given his successes in adult life. He and a brother were born to an unwed mother. A sister carried a different last name. Bob lived with his maternal grandparents. During his young teen years, the ministry of the Salvation Army touched his life and Bob was saved! Salvation Army Officers took him in, and at age 16 he moved with them to another state where he graduated from high school at nineteen.
Bob’s faith in Jesus deepened. He took serious Bible training and pastored churches. Later he and his wife Mary attended Moody Bible Institute and then earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wheaton College. Eventually they came to DC for educational administration opportunities and, as I mentioned, founded a prototype model for special education, The Oakwood School. He continued church and missionary work throughout his life.
I do not know the specific details of Bob’s salvation other than it was “through a meeting.” I doubt that Salvation Army bell ringers were present, but I am confident music must have been part of what drew him in – – he enjoyed music and was a good musician himself.
Bob’s faith testimony includes significant influences and spiritual impact on my life. The McIntyres gave me my first job in education: summer help at their daycare as a junior higher. (And thanks Mom for driving me back and forth for those weeks.) I followed them to Wheaton College, one of the most formative and meaningful experiences of my life. They gave me a place to stay temporarily when I got my first teaching job out of college, and I observed their beautiful Christian home and marriage. That’s legacy: God began His “good work” in His servant Bob through The Salvation Army. God’s work in him flourished until it was “carried to its completion” when Bob died of a stroke three years ago at the age of ninety-one. I pray that God’s salvation is at work in your life too. Philippians 1 v 6
Merry Christmas.
The Salvation Army Part 1: The Red Kettle Campaign
The “Red Kettle” campaign is back! Collecting money donations in a big pot started in 1891, initiated by Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee in San Francisco. He needed money to fund a Christmas dinner he hoped to provide for “San Francisco’s many poor souls.” “Today, generous contributions to the kettles enable The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to people who would otherwise be forgotten.”
Bell ringing is a traditional feature of the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign. Paid and volunteer staff stand at the kettles ringing faithfully. Sometimes workers play musical instruments or recorded Christmas music. Once I saw a kettle volunteer entertain shoppers with animated dance steps as she rang; she was having fun! Another time we chatted with an older ringer named Charlie who asked for prayer for his own needs. Apparently, the Christmas song “Silver Bells” from the movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” was inspired by the tradition of kettle bell ringers standing outside city department stores.
I enjoyed sharing the book Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies, by Claudia Mills, illustrated by Catherine Stock (1997), with my ESOL students. In the story, a boy and his grandpa encounter the red kettle and a bell ringer, which is new to the young boy. A sweet conversation and a giving response follow. And I guess some bell ringers dress as Santa!
While in-person shopping is declining due to online purchases, and fewer businesses welcome Christian charities, I will be shopping about locally and be on the lookout for red kettles and keep an ear out for the bell ringers too! As the name implies, the Salvation Army is a movement focused on sharing “good news and love with … neighbors” and is dedicated to “soul-winning and compassionate service.” The pairing of practical support and spiritual counsel may be why they are “Doing the Most Good.” “Christ’s boundless love presses on our hearts, leaving us joyfully compelled to serve Him,” (a summary of 2 Corinthians 5 v 14, Biblehub.com)
Quotes are taken from Salvation Army literature, both online and direct mail sources, 2024 and 2025.
NOTE: I continue to notice formatting issues with my posts in automated emails and even phone access. Blogposts are best viewed at “A Writer’s Daughter”
The “Red Kettle” campaign is back! Collecting money donations in a big pot started in 1891, initiated by Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee in San Francisco. He needed money to fund a Christmas dinner he hoped to provide for “San Francisco’s many poor souls.” “Today, generous contributions to the kettles enable The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to people who would otherwise be forgotten.”
Bell ringing is a traditional feature of the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign. Paid and volunteer staff stand at the kettles ringing faithfully. Sometimes workers play musical instruments or recorded Christmas music. Once I saw a kettle volunteer entertain shoppers with animated dance steps as she rang; she was having fun! Another time we chatted with an older ringer named Charlie who asked for prayer for his own needs. Apparently, the Christmas song “Silver Bells” from the movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” was inspired by the tradition of kettle bell ringers standing outside city department stores.
I enjoyed sharing the book Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies, by Claudia Mills, illustrated by Catherine Stock (1997), with my ESOL students. In the story, a boy and his grandpa encounter the red kettle and a bell ringer, which is new to the young boy. A sweet conversation and a giving response follow. And I guess some bell ringers dress as Santa!
While in-person shopping is declining due to online purchases, and fewer businesses welcome Christian charities, I will be shopping about locally and be on the lookout for red kettles and keep an ear out for the bell ringers too! As the name implies, the Salvation Army is a movement focused on sharing “good news and love with … neighbors” and is dedicated to “soul-winning and compassionate service.” The pairing of practical support and spiritual counsel may be why they are “Doing the Most Good.” “Christ’s boundless love presses on our hearts, leaving us joyfully compelled to serve Him,” (a summary of 2 Corinthians 5 v 14, Biblehub.com)
Quotes are taken from Salvation Army literature, both online and direct mail sources, 2024 and 2025.
NOTE: I continue to notice formatting issues with my posts in automated emails and even phone access. Blogposts are best viewed at “A Writer’s Daughter”
“Grace” is the traditional term for prayer before a meal. Scripture tells us Jesus modeled the practice of thanking God for food (Matthew 14 v 19; Matthew 15 v 36; Luke 22 v 19). We also read that Jesus blessed food before He ate, hence we say or ask “The Blessing” at meals (Matthew 26 v 26; Luke 24 v 30)*.
When I considered what should be my featured image for this post, this one came to mind. I had no idea it was entitled “Grace,” nor that it was a photograph – the official photograph of Minnesota, where it was taken by Eric Enstrom. https://www.sos.mn.gov/about-minnesota/state-symbols/state-photograph-grace/
The vast majority of Americans, even Christians, no longer regularly say “Grace” at mealtimes. Look around the work lunch table or a restaurant dining room and you will rarely see folks offering a blessing over the food. Thanksgiving however will be the exception, as many will pause to acknowledge their plenty in the form of a prayer to the Almighty.
I grew up in a home where every meal began with a prayer of thanks, usually led by my father. (See photo below) And although “Grace” was a routine and might have become rote, instead the ritual solidified foundational beliefs. By praying at meals, we were acknowledging God’s reality and presence, and His provision at our family table. Gratitude is a desirable, health-promoting trait and it rightly positions our hearts toward God “from whom all blessings flow.” ** Remember Jesus leading at the last supper: “and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat…’” (1 Corinthians 11 v 24 NJKV).
I am grateful for you, my readers. I am looking forward to some entries I have in mind for December – stay tuned! As always, my posts are best viewed at “A Writer’s Daughter” especially to view the photos.
* I found “gave thanks” and “blessed” to be interchanged depending on Bible version.
** Thomas Ken, “Doxology,” 1674.
This photo is deeply personal but I will share it. It is the last photo I took of my parents together. Saying “Grace.”
It encourages me when a door opens that I did not foresee. Such is the case with my recent blog post on goal setting. The topic and outcome felt lackluster to me but it a spawned a Part 2 – a surprise to me!
I ended the “Goal Setting” piece with the first question of the Westminster Catechism. The question “What is the chief end of man?” summarized a goal priority to my mind. Which now leads me to, “Why catechisms?’ I will not cover the history and purpose of catechisms here except to say that the question/answer format is a teaching tool. For difficult foundational doctrines, new faith converts (or those seeking faith) easily learn important truths through the repeated question/answer process. For that reason, catechisms are often used with children.
Out of the mouths of babes.
In my family, one of our young grandsons was learning by way of a catechism. The toddler had been asked many times, “Who made you?” Not being in a cooperative mood one night at dinner, he refused to answer the question. His baby sister, sitting in the highchair next to him, seized the opportunity for success and attention, and peeped out, “God.” Whoa, a homerun for this tiny one!!! She knew.
Young children absorb and learn and know so much, much more than we realize. I had a similar experience that I shared in a blog once before. My own children were at a craft show and had the opportunity to shop for me. They came out with a pair of yellow and orange tie dye socks and my son exclaimed that the bright socks would match the candy corn earrings I liked to wear in the fall. How had he noticed? Why had he remembered? Kids are always watching and learning from their parents, grandparents, and others.
For our wedding ceremony, one of the Scriptures Craig and I chose was Deuteronomy 6 v 8 – 9: “6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” We were agreeing with God’s Word that everywhere and all the time we would constantly need His Truths in place to establish a home built on Jesus Christ.
Children need more than church to learn the tenets of faith, and they learn as much from example as they do from words. Credit to my sister for this beautiful New England photo.
Are you a goal setter? It is not my preferred approach to getting things done. I love lists and checking off tasks, but setting goals feels time constrained, like a stressful deadline.
Goal setting was a big part of the job in my last 10 or 15 years of educational work. Not only were teachers required to set goals for evaluation purposes, but students had to write goals a couple of times per year. It seemed far-fetched to make first graders write a six-month goal when they understand so little of long-range time and learning potential.
Here’s a goal I should set: finish this needlepoint project by the time the medical course is finished (that’s why I started it). I have until January. and it was motivating just to pull it out for the photograph.
Goals pop up in everyday life. Today an online word game that I play blazed the words “Goal Completed” across the screen. I have no idea what the goal was nor how I achieved it! My watch reminds me of goals throughout the day and blasts a ring of fireworks when I reach its predetermined settings.
My initial blog goal was to publish twice a month. I kept up very steadily with that goal in the first years but in the spring and summer of 2020 I backed off, finding it hard to write topically in the firestorm of issues at that time. I had another unplanned lag when my site was hacked into. It took several weeks of technical expertise the get “A Writer’s Daughter” functional again.
Where do I land this post so I can catch up to my personal writing goal? I have had a few ideas that didn’t fly. I considered a passage in Romans 8 that repeatedly used the phrase “set your mind” but looking carefully at the text, the term “set” does not imply a command; it is not a directive to make smart thinking goals. But it’s a good passage if you care to check it out for yourself. Instead, the first question of the Westminster Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” Scripture says, “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11 v 36) This sounds like a great goal to me.
A butterfly enjoys late season marigolds spilling over our driveway. This post doesn’t strike me as a ‘homerun’ but coming across the Scripture three times in a row was confirmation for me that I should go for it. And I meet my publishing goal! Enjoy the World Series!
Happy New Year! You see, September always feels like New Year’s to me after my school years, then college, then becoming a teacher. Later, it felt like New Year’s when I sent my kids back to school … which at that time was September, but now, for many students, is mid-August. You financial types also experience the fiscal new year at this time.
This New Year’s (September) started with a bang for us: an early morning phone call on Labor Day weekend with a list of woes to be righted! Nothing life-shattering, but there were matters to attend to, nuisance issues to handle, on a holiday weekend. Frankly, troubles continue to pop up and I share this because I know you, my readers, face the same, and you’ll understand why I’m finally getting back to my blog.
We are thankful for a few days in the NC mountains recently. We were at The Cove (Billy Graham Training Center, hence our nametags). What could be better than September in the mountains? October! But it was so refreshing.
September, like New Year’s, urges a return to routine. My “A Writer’s Daughter” blog encourages the routine of being in Scripture, the book God authored for us. I came across some good insights on Bible reading this summer that I would like to share, written by J. D. Walt* (Wake-Up Call).
“’Meditate on it day and night.’ (Joshua 1 v 8) Do you know when that is? Yep. Always. It is always either day or night. But this little word – meditate– might mean more than you think it does. Many Eastern religions have laid claim to the concept of meditation. The biblical idea of meditation, as I understand it, is quite different. Meditation is often an attempt to empty one’s mind. The biblical practice of meditation is about filling one’s mind- with the Word of God.
“The Hebrew word (transliterated) hagah is pronounced “daw-gaw.” It means “to growl, utter, speak, or muse.” And, yes, you read it right, “to growl.” The biblical concept of meditation carries the image of a lion growling over, eating, and savoring its freshly caught prey. We so often think of the Word of God as duty we must exercise. The Spirit teaches us that the Word of God is a meal to be savored and enjoyed. Recall the signature instruction of Psalm 1: “But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.” (bolding mine)
“I have a working rubric that helps me engage the Word of God over time, and it has led me from a disciplined, dutiful reading of Scripture to a deeply delighted and desirous appetite for God’s Word. The hand is the mnemonic device with each finger representing a sequential step of engagement. And, of course, it is alliterated, each beginning with the letter r.
Little finger: Read (mouth)
Ring finger: Ruminate (meditate)
Middle finger: Rememberize (slowly load the long-term memory)
Index finger: Research (dig deeper)
Thumb: Rehearse (do it)”
May we all be encouraged to make time in God’s Word this New Year as part of our regular routine, in a delighted, enjoyable set aside time, and through on-going, joyful meditation.
*Walt, J. D. “Growling in the Word of God,” August 1, 2025. Wake-up Call, Seedbed.com
Niagara Falls is stunning! My family stopped at the Canadian Horseshoe Falls many times as we vacationed and visited family nearby. The Falls always scared me. The edge’s height, and the rushing forceful river plummeting to a deep drop below was nothing I wanted to be close to! I feared the power and danger of it all. Recently someone close to us shared a momentous waterfall experience. It is deep, personal, and worth passing on to you, but I’ll not use his actual name.
I remember being at this spot as a child. Photo by Ken Lund, wikimedia.org
Matt, as I’ll call him, told us his story of a dangerous edgepoint in his life. He was young and making choices; temptation teased him, and he was caught in its rush. Matt shared that as circumstances swelled around him, an older confidant reached out to him. The mentor spared no words in confronting Matt regarding his precarious situation. Matt said that he counselled him with words something like this: “Matthew, you are nearly at a point of no return. It’s as if you’re headed toward a Niagara Falls. You’re so close to being swept up and thrown over. You’ll plunge into disaster and be dashed on the rocks and tumult below. You’ve got a choice to make. It’s almost too late.”
Matt reflected on the mentor’s wise words, spoken out of love and concern. Time and proximity were opportune, so shortly after the conversation, Matt drove to Niagara Falls. He walked to the viewing edge. Looking over into the swirling depths far below, Matt shared that the gorge looked peaceful, something his life was not. I sensed that it was a moment of crisis: maybe he even considered taking that plunge; I was not sure what he meant.
But Matt continued his waterfall story. The following day, alone and still contemplating his future, he turned on the TV. In his channel surfing, he came across a preacher, who was standing in front of a waterfall backdrop – probably the filming magic of a ‘green screen’! The preacher blurted out, “Do you want to know the secret of real joy?” Matt did not want to know what the preacher’s idea of joy was, so he quickly changed the channel. A few moments later, Matt thought maybe he did want to hear the preacher’s answer. He clicked through the channels again, but he found no waterfall and no sermon. Without the TV message, the Lord brought to mind a little ditty his father had once told him. You probably have heard it too: JOY is found when you order your life with Jesus, then Others, and then Yourself. It seems trivial but it is truthful. Jesus must come first for a right life.
The rest of Matt’s story is that he edged away from the rushing whirlpool he faced. Instead, he turned toward the safety of solid ground although we know that shoreline can be steep and rocky. It was a victory for him because of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. We all admitted with Matt that we are always nearer a dangerous water’s edge than we realize.
This morning, I read these words in Psalm 94, “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O Lord, supported me” (v 18), “ the Lord has become … the rock in whom I take refuge.” (v 22). Turbulent temptations rage at times, but we can claim the calm of Jesus’ victory on the cross. (See 1 Corinthians 10 v 13
Fun waterfall frolic at the NY State Fair last summer!
