Author Archives: Barbara

Many think the custom of giving gifts to loved ones at Christmastime came from the Magi giving gifts to the Christ child long ago. I’m not sure. However, giving Christmas gifts has become part of our lives. Unfortunately, some of … Continue reading →

It may be early in December but shoppers are already bustling to find that perfect Christmas gift. One gets the impression the recession is over, but it’s not. Some of us are still a little cost conscious so I thought … Continue reading →

“If only” are two little words that keep us from contentment. In the family favorite movie The Wizard of Oz little Dorothy from Kansas longs to fly over the rainbow to escape her problems. In a way she gets her … Continue reading →

As we enter the Thanksgiving season I’m reminded of an old sampler in my grandmother’s house with the following words: Count your blessings instead of your crosses. Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your smiles instead of your … Continue reading →

Being a writer makes one conscious of words and idioms. I’m actually fascinated by phrase origins and love the fact that so many of the common phrases we use everyday originate with the Bible or God. Here are a just … Continue reading →

A few weeks ago I spoke at a women’s retreat at the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama. This picture shows the presenters. I’m the second one from the left – the cute one. 🙂 This has sort of become … Continue reading →

  Although I’ve lived in California for around twenty years, I will always be a Cardinals fan!  And watching them win the World Series tonight had me jumping up and down as much as those fans in my home town, … Continue reading →

I just watched a great old Jimmy Stewart movie on television the other night. Shenandoah takes place during the mid 1800s. Charlie Anderson, played by Jimmy Stewart, is a widowed farmer and family patriarch who promised his dead wife he … Continue reading →

We miss the mark by thinking God’s love for us depends on how we are or what we do. We think we must change for God to love us. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Believe it or not, … Continue reading →

We just returned from a trip to visit Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon and I must admit the whole trip was…well…what’s the word I’m looking for???? Oh yes, GRAND! Hoover Dam is considered one of the seven manmade wonders … Continue reading →