Not Folly

I’ll Take a Slice of Humble Pie

Humility is NOT something I’m good at. To be fair, I don’t think I typically come across as arrogant or boastful, but humility takes humble to the next level. If you’ve been following me, I’m sure you know I am a sucker for the Apostle Paul. Normally, I only cite a passage or two. But this section was so impactful, I’m going to post the whole thing: 3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.5You must…
#FridayFavors – Spread Joy

Today’s #FridayFavors is something so simple, it won’t cost you a thing! Except maybe the boldness to give a compliment to a perfect stranger… Think about the last time you were out and someone you didn’t know told you they loved your hair or you have a beautiful smile. How did that make you feel? I’ve experienced it and it feels amazing, especially since it doesn’t happen too often. I always try to make a point of giving compliments to strangers when something really stands out to me. Women and men both need this in their lives, but when it…
Abundant Joy

There is a common misconception in the world about joy. When I look at the Merriam Webster online dictionary, the first two definitions are not exactly right. The first says joy is a feeling of great happiness. The second says it is a state of great happiness. Then I get to the third one… Joy is a source or cause of delight. That’s it! Joy isn’t just something we should feel or express during happy times. Christians should exude joy all the time. Why? Because our joy comes from Jesus. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead,…
Nothing coming…

In another season of my life, I worked at a male maximum security prison. And for a geed stretch of that, I worked the segregation unit, also known as “the hole.” It was fascinating. I learned so much about people, how their minds work, and their motives or intentions. Being a female officer in an all-male facility brings a whole other dynamic also. I’ve had my name smeared on the wall in feces, was spit on, nicked by a razor blade (and had to do all the tests for exposure that follow), and had urine thrown on me. Most days…
#FridayFavors – Love One Another

Did you know the word love or a variation of it is used over 700 times in the Bible? That’s a lot. But at the same time, it’s not surprising. It’s part of what Jesus referred to as “the greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:38). He also goes on to say, “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.’ Matthew 25:40 Our world is in a dark place at the moment. We are called to spread love and light…
No Regrets…Find Boldness in the Spirit

Have you ever wanted something so bad…but know that everyone might think you have absolutely lost your mind? Sadly (or not….HA!) that is NOT a foreign experience for me. I have never really considered myself to be gutsy or bold. I am stubborn and bull-headed to a fault. But bold? No. I’m emotional, dramatic, and perhaps a bit shy until you get to know me. But not bold. However, as I look back on the last 30 years of my life, I see nothing but a string of bold decisions. Does boldness lead to regret? Of course! At least occasionally…however…
#FridayFavors – Hygiene Kits

This week’s #FridayFavors is hygiene kits! I remember when I first moved to San Diego in 2005, I was utterly shocked by the number of homeless encampments everywhere. Ironic, since now that is the sad state of our nation no matter where you live. At first, I would give panhandlers the extra coins from my cupholder or a couple of dollars if I had it. Then, it became burdensome and unsustainable. And frustrating. I stopped giving. I have always been charitable with my donations to a variety of causes and to certain organizations and continued giving in those ways. But…
And the award for best Psalm goes to…

David is one of my favorite writers of the scripture because you can feel the passion and imagery oozing out of every word. I know there are plenty of opinions on the “best” Psalms out there, like Psalm 91, Psalm 46, and Psalm 139. Another favorite of many people, including my grandmother, was Psalm 23. Even as she struggled to keep her mental faculties in her last years, the lucidity would come roaring back as she recited this one. After she passed at the age of 96, I don’t know what possessed me to believe I could stand in front…
Attention People-Pleasers!

Are you a People-Pleaser? I am. Well…sometimes. I like to do all of the things… for all of the people… all of the time. Those of us who are People-Pleasers (and maybe those of us who have People-Pleasers in our lives) can see the impact it has on a person. What you do is never enough. There is always something else to do and someone else to help. It can suck the very life out of you. Many People-Pleasers wrap their entire self-worth in their ability to care and provide for others. Women in particular, as nature’s caregivers, tend to…
Be the Light!

The best gift you can give another person is the Word of God! God gave each of us the only gift we truly ever need…everlasting life through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The world is troubled…full of divisiveness, anger, and spite. Even I admit that through the years, I have stopped donating to people on street corners because it has become so pervasive and sometimes aggressive. In a world full of darkness, what can you do to be the light? That is why #FridayFavors was born. It gives us an opportunity to be a light…

Not Folly

Selected Writings