He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4 I've been reading a book called The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM) by Hal Elrod. Amassing widespread attention and over 11K positive reviews, it drew my attention. . While I don't agree with all of the author's message—'Pursue the life you deserve!' ( Jesus spared us from the life we deserve!)—I've been positively impacted by t

We have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. II Corinthians 5:1-2 It’s a done deal. At the end of June, the sale of my father’s house was complete. Documents were signed, funds released, and the ownership of my childhood home was transferred to another family. (See recent post, The Key to My Father’s House). Cue sound of front door slowly creaking to a close ... House c

"Any amount of theology can be smuggled into people's minds under cover of romance without their knowing it." —C.S. Lewis's Readings for Meditation and Reflection Read that again. I'll wait a sec. C.S. Lewis’s reference to romance was a nod to fiction as it deals with events remote from real life and heroic tales of chivalry—not unlike what’s found in the Romance languages, French, Italian and Spanish. When asked what I do, I say, “I’m an inspirational romance author”. It piq

In my Father’s house are many rooms … I am going there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2-3 After the death of my father last March, my childhood home of 54 years is being emptied out in preparation for listing on June 1st. Painstaking process. The house that’s witnessed years of love and laughter—and occasional exacting of discipline that comes with raising six children—will soon be relegated to

Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 Typically, I post my inspirational content one to two Fridays a month, but I've been out of my routine since the death of my father in March. He was one of my greatest supporters and a faithful subscriber—even at 95! Thank you for bearing with me. ☀️🌸🌺☀️🌺🌸☀️ "One day closer, Marilyn." At some point after my mom died in 2010, my dad began reciting this promise to her. It's not a stretch to suggest he'd do

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God. John 6:68-69 Peter's proclamation in John 6 rivals anything ever written in a Hallmark card. Because Jesus had just been deserted by many who felt His teaching was too hard and refused to accept it. But when he turned to the Twelve and challenged their willingness to stay, Peter doesn't hesitate to declare: Lord, to whom shall we go? Having just celebrated Vale

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 Many years ago, Mom asked Dad if he’d plant a grapefruit seed from a grapefruit she’d eaten. Quite simply, she wanted to see what would happen. A lot happened. That little se

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden. Genesis 3:8 In March 2020, the gym where I workout closed temporarily because of Covid. As an alternative, I walked the streets of my neighborhood several days each week until the gym reopened that September. Now that we’re in an apartment, I'll take “sanity breaks” from my writing and walk a particular course around our complex. I use the time to pray, listen to a music playlist and po

Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Luke 5:18-19 During a week-long vacation to Bear Trap, an Intervarsity Christian family camp in Colorado Springs, my family enjoyed biblical teaching each morning, activities in the aft

Let them consider the plan … make known to them the design of the temple … that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations. Ezekiel 43:10-11 (NIV) As I made my way through the book of Ezekiel over the last several weeks, I was pleased to discover multiple tidbits of wisdom. However .... the discovery didn't come easy. At times, I yearned to get through the weighty accounts of the people's wickedness. When the glory of the Lord left the temple, (Ch. 10)

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:2 (NIV) Recently I posted a picture on social media to reveal the cover of my upcoming inspirational romance novel, You Are the Reason. When I scrolled through to read responses, I noticed this repetitive comment ... I can't wait to read it! Made my heart swell with gratitude. My goal in writing fiction is for the reader to smile, enjoy a little romantic tension, and ponder truth through th

Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—He’ll carry your load, He’ll help you out. Psalm 55:22 (The Message) After I’d stepped outside my apartment one morning, my gaze connected with the manager who lives across the corridor. (Yes, this proximity does feel a little bit weird). We exchanged greetings before he turned toward the second story landing to head downstairs. A week’s worth of trash in hand, I followed behind. At that point, the manager was already mid-way down. In a m

Here's the latest inspirational post as I attempt to tune out the strains of classic ballet on the flat screen while my daughter slips into a medicated, post-op slumber after this morning's wisdom teeth removal ... 😬 Remember those in prison as if you were fellow prisoners. Hebrews 13:3 (NIV) Not too long ago, the Lord led me to read through the book of Jeremiah. Tough reading. Not the stuff of Hallmark cards. Far from uplifting and whimsical like the Psalms (most of them an