Blog

  • Relinquishing the Woman Alive Book Club

    After creating the Woman Alive book club sixteen years ago, I’ve reached the difficult decision that it’s time to hand it over to the next host. I’ve loved talking all things books for so many years, but I decided it was time to move on as I embrace the writing-speaking-spiritual-direction life. Here is the video…

  • “Prayer for the Tongue-Tied Pray-er” by Jeff Crosby: 7 Ways to Pray blog series

    I first met Jeff Crosby in Singapore at LittWorld, a wonderful gathering for writers, publishers, and graphic designers from around the world. As we shared a jetlagged breakfast together, I soon realized here was a thoughtful and articulate person – a quiet leader with gravitas. I love how he shares how what he once saw…

  • Praying with a Painting: Going fishing

    How might this painting lead you into prayer? Spend a few moments looking at it, lingering where your eye lands, asking God to speak to you. You might want to consider a section of Scripture as you do so. I immediately thought of Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus (see Matthew 14:22–36), but…

  • Celebrating Mothers

    Happy Mother’s Day – that is, if you celebrate today and if it’s a day to celebrate for you. I know for many, it can feel painful, whether you had or have a tough relationship with your mother, or if you wanted to be a mother and haven’t been, of if your family forgets that…

  • “Praying When the Going Gets Tough” (part 2) by Georgie Tennant: 7 Ways to Pray blog series

    How can we continue to trust God when the worst has happened? Georgie takes us through some of the tough questions she faced after her sister died. I love how she didn’t shy away from bringing all of her questions to God, even when she felt bitterly disappointed in him. If you haven’t read the…

  • Praying with a Painting: Capturing the real

    I love this painting of my dad’s – it’s one where he paints on the back side of glass, so he has to create everything in reverse. I didn’t get a great photo of it, as you can see the reflection above the two women, but the photo gives you an idea of the picture.…

    A scene in the Western part of America, with mountains in the the background. In the foreground on the left, three figures sitting at a table - two women and a man; on the right, two figures at another table, the man reading.
  • “Praying When the Going Gets Tough” (part 1) by Georgie Tennant: 7 Ways to Pray blog series

    When Georgie faced desperately sad news about her sister, she didn’t give up on prayer. I’m honoured to host her deep and poignant thoughts this week and next. You won’t want to miss her hard-won wisdom. It is March 2017. I am away on a church ladies’ weekend, due to speak in a session the…

  • “Stop, Stand, Stare” by Fiona Lloyd: 7 Ways to Pray blog series

    Have a read of Fiona’s gentle post about stopping and revelling in the wonder of God and creation. Her compelling invitation makes me want to step outside! What is this life if, full of care,We have no time to stand and stare. Poet William Henry Davies wrote these words more than a century ago, when…

  • A Season for Alleluia

    Happy Easter! We’ve entered the season of the church year of celebration and feasting – forty days of remembering with joy that Christ is risen and is among us. If we’ve observed Lent, the forty days of fasting before Easter, then we surely should mark this time of feasting afterwards. Augustine of Hippo, the eminent…

    A watercolor painting of a vase of purple flowers.
  • Praying with a Painting: Good Friday

    Many Christians view today as the most wonderful and most awful day—the day we remember the Man who was God who died on the cross that we might live free. I invite you to spend a few moments pondering and praying, sharing with God your feelings about how his Son came to earth as a…

    A watercolor rendition of Jesus carrying his cross with 2 soldiers helping him, with splotches of red and blue surrounding the three figures.]