The death of a spouse at a young age is one of the most difficult trials any of us can face. Trust me. As I've met and worked with other young widows I've seen the pain that comes with it, and new loves as time passes. These new loves bring with them their own pain and trials though. Family dynamics can be a blessing and a curse. What does this have to do with the rest of us? Let's talk about it! 

 I've taught a lot of courses over the last 25 years, both in church and in secular settings. I love teaching. I don't always love my students. But I've found that loving my students is probably the most important factor in their learning and accepting what I teach. Why is that, and how do we get to the point of loving our students? Let's talk about it. 

 I know the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks was over two months ago, but this last weekend my family and I went to New York and toured the 9/11 Memorial. It was an amazing experience for my husband and I, but my teenage boys didn't feel the same. It's got me thinking about it and the importance of remembering, along with our personal connections to what happened. Let's take a bit and talk about it. 

Teenagers are the worst!Except when they're not.What happens when we expect more from our teens and they rise to the challenge?Let's talk about it!

For most of us, Monday isn't our favorite day of the week. Thinking about this truth, I came across a story I wanted to share about gratitude and our mental state.Take a few minutes and let's talk about it together...

Do you feel like sometimes your waiting, and waiting, and waiting for a blessing from the Lord?I often do.This weekend I was reading in the Bible about Naaman, who was promised his leprosy would be healed if her bathed ion the Jordan River seven times.Things didn't change for him after the first time he went into the water.Nor the second.Or third.What does this have to do with us?Come with me and lets talk about it...

Our memories are not the most reliable things in the world.We forget important stuff constantly.It got me thinking about the scriptures and journal writing.The scriptures of course are records of God's dealings with his children.Journals are our own personal histories.Why should we take journal writing seriously?Let's talk about it!

It's easy to say we'd follow Christ on whatever road, until we see how difficult that road can be.I've been thinking about this a lot lately.Am I all in for Christ?I say I am, but what do I say when the weight of trials push me down?When I see the sacrifices I need to make?It's not as easy as we claim sometimes.Let's have a frank discussion about it...

I have weaknesses.I am very aware of them.I'm sure you're the same way.But if we really look at it, our weaknesses can be strengths as well.Let's take a look at one of mine, and you'll see what I mean...

 I've been thinking about fairy tales over the past couple days. In fairy tales it doesn't matter where the main character starts. It matters where they finish. Cinderella doesn't start out as a princess, but that's where she ends up. We are the exact same. Where we are right now doesn't matter. Where we're going does. This moment right now doesn't define who we are. Let's talk about it!