Deacon’s Column

Who writes the end of the story?

It is always a sorry sight to see our once-resplendent Christmas tree stripped of its finery and lying at the edge of the driveway for pick-up, an expired servant…READ MORE

One thing to make your new year fruitful

Although the holidays were subdued this year, turning the calendar to January still triggers our instinct to reflect on the past year and look ahead…READ MORE

You are the perfect age to serve God

On the eve of yet another birthday (already?), I thank God for the gift of one more year. Many people do not get to see so many sunrises — a fact even more poignant in this time…READ MORE

God’s many answers to prayer

My vocation attracts many prayer requests.  Some even think that as a minister I have a special prayer pipeline to God…READ MORE

The whole earth is full of God’s glory

On this 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, we wax nostalgic for the days when a Democratic senator and a Republican congressman could unite to launch an environmental protection movement…READ MORE

Even Jesus faced two sure things in life: death and taxes

Is there no end to this “new normal”?  Due to COVID-19 and the ensuing stay-at-home orders, Easter passed a few days ago with the irrepressible joy of the day intact but with none of the typical celebrations…READ MORE

The gift of abundant life is ours to choose

I am at an age when much of pop culture eludes me. For instance, a much younger acquaintance mentioned “The Zombie Apocalypse” and I had no idea what she was talking about. But the zombie myth has been around a…READ MORE

In God we trust, but how far?

It started innocently enough.  I bought a small sign at the Town & Country General Store in Cashiers, and perched it on the windowsill above our kitchen sink.  It read, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” a familiar …READ MORE

Lean into God to navigate the road ahead

Familiar signs of fall fill the plateau: warm sweaters, changing leaves, and touring motorcycles – many, many motorcycles.   Whenever I trail a string of motorcycles along Highway 64, I feel a bit wistful.  Although it has been years since I hung up my helmet…READ MORE

Keeping the window to the soul clean and clear

Although you have just started reading this column, please pause for a moment to ponder the wonder of your eyes.  As the gateway to the precious gift of sight, they not only open the door to this informative newspaper, they also admit countless other visitors into your brain…READ MORE

Prayer is the pause that refreshes busy days

Some of my closest friends live in different time zones, so I am grateful that we can stay connected by email.  I am also grateful that they are low-maintenance.  We keep up with each other according to the ebb and flow of our lives…READ MORE

Is life giving you more than you can handle?

I was inspired by Nate Lashley’s first PGA tour victory even before I heard his backstory.  He was the last player admitted to the recent Rocket Mortgage Classic, yet steamrolled past 70 more accomplished competitors to the championship.  It was an emotional win…READ MORE

Beware of Life’s Beguiling Buttercups

When my husband and I moved into our cottage in March, the yard was a mysterious jungle, trampled down by winter and giving no hint of what lay beneath the thicket of broken brown stalks…READ MORE

Words of Life Speak Hope and Healing

In these days of bullying, social media smears and trash talking, it is safe to say that the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me” has been laid to rest. And rightly so…READ MORE

Celebrate the Power that Never Goes Out

Our dachshund Ziva is small but courageous.  With ten pounds of doxie moxie, she gladly greets much bigger dogs, noisy vacuum cleaners, and invading delivery trucks.  But there is one thing to which she yields…READ MORE

Faith-filled Adventures Await at any Age

My last column ran on the brink of our long-awaited yet suddenly-precipitated move from Brevard to Sapphire.  That column was about trusting God during life’s transitions, and I can heartily attest that our trust in Him was thoroughly well-placed…READ MORE

Jesus Is “God With Us”, Even in the Winter Doldrums

     It has been my pleasure to write a dozen of these columns since August, and each time inspiration came readily and words flowed freely. But not today…READ MORE

Despair Looks Around, Hope Looks Up

Last time I wrote about following God’s command to “Count it all joy when we face trials of all kinds” (James 1:2) while our questions abound…READ MORE

Standing at the Crossroads of Life

When I first visited Cashiers almost 30 years ago, I was charmed by the beauty of the area, the friendliness of the people…READ MORE