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Guest Columns

  • Forgiveness and ‘forgetness’

    (Editor's note: A Chronicle reader requested that we reprint this column that first ran in July 2004. It’s a good one, so here goes.)

    Several weeks ago, a friend and I were talking about ghosts in closets -- things that people say they’ve forgiven and forgotten, but they really haven’t.

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  • Compassion

    Compassion is defined as caring about the suffering and needs of others. If we want to live in a world of kindness and compassion, we must also walk the talk. This trait  must be created inside ourselves and be demonstrated by our outward acts. We are each challenged to examine our own behavior and thoughts. We need to control our response to external events, actions and opinions of others in order to build compassion for what  motivates their behavior. Compassion starts with being able to understand where the other person is coming from.

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  • Game of thrones

    It’s no surprise to people who know me that I am not a fancy Nancy.

    I’m not plain, and I am (I hope) feminine, but I’m definitely not lacy, doily, flowery foo-foo.

    I’m so not a princess.

    That said, I’m constantly getting invited to women’s events that border on the fancy. This past weekend, I was with a group of women at a nearby Victorian hotel, which has fancy in its very structure.

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  • Can we be angry with God?

    Here’s a question for you: Is it wrong to be angry with God?

    Most of us who are afraid of lightning bolts frying our faces off or earthquakes rattling our brains and opening the earth to swallow us whole would probably say yes.

     God is God and Creator and we are very much not God. That said, can we be honest? Sometimes God does stuff — or doesn’t do stuff — that ticks us off.

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  • Grace defined, tattoo designed

    If I had to choose just one favorite book of the Bible, I would choose Romans, chock full of theology, which I love.

    And if I had to choose just one favorite chapter in all of Romans, hands down it would be chapter 8.

    And if I could choose only one verse in chapter 8 to tattoo across my shoulder, it has to be verse 1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

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  • Till death and beyond

    Many couples are creating their own version of wedding vows. My husband and I just got back from a trip to Chicago to my youngest son’s wedding. Kevin and his new bride are a part of this intentional movement to give conscientious thought to the commitments they are making to one another. I want to share with you the promises they expressed as reasons to choose to spend the rest of their lives together. Here is part of their wedding ceremony:

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  • Family relationships explored in film ‘Sins of the Mother’

    One of the truly great inventions of the modern era is the DVR.

    I love mine with all my heart, mind, soul and strength.

    Last week I watched a movie I had recorded called “Sins of the Mother,” about the relationship between a young woman and her formerly abusive, alcoholic mother.

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  • Improving your sleep patterns

    What you eat affects your ability to sleep. Avoid eating pasta and meat casserole late in the evening. Carbohydrates and protein, as well as sugary desserts can disturb restful sleep and may even keep a person awake. Sugar products can be related to moodiness and a racing mind. Poor digestion can be related to getting less sleep. Catnip/lemon balm tea and taking one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with honey or Alovera Juice for indigestion.   

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  • Why church?

    Scattered throughout any community are tiny, struggling churches.

    Sometimes they’re invisible. If you blink while driving past them you’ll miss them. Or they’re eyesores - run down, weather worn.

    In my 20 years covering local religion for the newspaper, I’ve gotten to know the people at some of these little churches.

    I’ve attended their services and could count the people in the pews with two hands and not need a third.

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  • Shall we brag?

    One of my favorite stories is the one where my friend Mike announced that he had given up pride for Lent.

    He was so proud of his decision, couldn’t wait to start. Just knew he’d nail it.

    That was about seven or so years ago and we still laugh about it.

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