Latest Posts
Deeper Still… and another giveaway!
Spend some time with Lisa Meiners, and you'll want to go "Deeper Still" in your faith and friendships. In this guest post, Lisa shares how God gave her a do over in her neighborhood - and she's also sharing a generous gift with you. Leave a comment or tag The Neighborhood Cafe when you share this post, and you'll be entered to win a copy of Words with God, Lisa's 31-day devotional. Winner will be chosen November 14. My one request when we moved to Dayton, Ohio, from Staten Island, New York?...
Red Hot Faith… and a giveaway!
Being introduced to Cindy Bultema added some sparkle to my life. Now it's my turn to introduce her to you, and what better way than a free giveaway and guest post! Leave a comment or tag The Neighborhood Cafe when you share this post, and you could win a leader's bonus pack of Cindy's Red Hot Faith Bible study! Winner will be chosen November 14. I grew up in a home that didn’t pay much attention to God or Jesus or the Bible. My dad was emotionally distant, I was teased for my weight, and I...
When I’m Squeezed, a Little Bit of Amy Oozes Out
I got squeezed, and it wasn’t pretty. My feelings were hut and my feathers were ruffled; I was offended and angry. Hateful words of retaliation and blame oozed from my lips. Resentment seeped from every pore, and bitterness slimed the rest of my day. Ugh. When life gives me a good, hard squeeze, all the ugliness inside me gushes to the surface. When I'm squeezed by stress, I ooze complaints. When I'm squeezed by anger, I ooze sarcasm. When I'm squeezed by sickness, I ooze fear. When I'm...
My Holy Dog
A high school graduation gift from my parents, my Bible was simply engraved "Amy Lynn" because they knew my maiden name would someday change. I quickly dashed their hopes that I would love its words and embrace their Writer. Its leather was uncreased, its pages were stuck together, its advice went unheeded. The only witness when I blew the dust off its cover many years later was my dog, Lily. I can't explain how or why or when, but one day a small corner of my hardened heart cracked. My true...
I’m too busy to be too busy for God
I’m busy, busy—dreadfully busy. . . Most of us are busy, even the Amish. Personally, I’m grateful to be busy putting loads of store-bought clothes in my front-loading washer instead of hand-washing handmade frocks that hang on the line. But there’s something different about the intentionality and pace of their lifestyle and the hectic, hurried pace of mine. I’m racing from one appointment to the next. Every day for the next month has an even or reminder on it. I’m a little calendar crazy: I...
