"For He will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap...He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah, and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years." Malachi 3:2b, 3-4

Early in the mornings I'm groggy. I’ve tried for years to grow into a “morning person” but it simply takes me adequate time to wake up each day. I still get up early most mornings to meet the day but sometimes the snooze button is simply more appealing.

We do not experience wholeness by trying to experience everything to an equal degree—or by trying to experience exactly what everyone else is experiencing.

Last week I was leading some music for a preaching festival in downtown Nashville, and I was having a conversation with another musician.

So, what's the big deal about names? Are you naming others with your words? How do you use your name and others names for good?

Near Atlanta, ladies? If you live in or near Roswell, GA you are invited to join Abingdon Women at Roswell United Methodist Church (814 Mimosa Blvd. in Roswell, GA) on Saturday, June 8 from 9:30 AM until Noon.

Recently, I acquired a splinter in my big toe and it wouldn’t come out no matter how hard I tried. The splinter simply kept getting deeper and deeper. So, I finally decided to see if a pedicure could rid me of the tiny pain in my toe and spruce up my deprived feet.

To say thanks for completing our summer survey, we are offering a sneak preview of the newest Abingdon Women Bible study coming this Fall, The Christ-Centered Woman.

Well, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but summer is upon us. At our house, we’re in field day and year-end party mode. And, it is all happening too fast. Camps are scheduled, getaways are planned. I’m truly thankful the sun is no longer hiding behind the clouds. The birds are singing loudly. And this season is calling my name, summer is here!

We know it is coming. We sense the anxiety welling up. How do we say it? What do we say? Can we sneak around behind their backs? What do we do? Ah, the inevitable battle for the car keys, a fight many friends have faced with their aging parents, and the ongoing war I have with my father-in-law.

This week as our dog and I walked around our neighborhood we came upon a small snapping turtle crossing the road. Turtles are among my favorite animals and I was excited to see this one safely making its way across the road to a nearby pond.

Spotted online was a post from a mom that included a photo of a note from her teen children. It said, “Thank you for raising us in a God centered, supportive, and loving home.”