If you travel to a foreign country and you speak the local language, you might overhear a native poking fun at the food consumption excesses of Americans. Yes, we can be spotted in a crowd of tourists because many of us are overweight. We should hang our heads in shame for this embarrassing distinction. We…
Dying To Read That Text?
Last year, I almost rear ended a car that had stopped suddenly in front of me. I’m ashamed to admit that I was texting during that close encounter. It scared me so much that I vowed never again to text while driving. On July 1, Georgia followed 15 states that ban texting while driving. Governor…
Miracle In A Cave
Have you ever prayed for people who don’t believe in Jesus? That’s what believers around the world have done for the past few weeks—pray for those in Thailand, which is 94.5% Buddhist, according to the country’s 2015 census. Yesterday, those prayers were answered in the best way possible when Thailand Navy SEALS and cave diving…
WHO said gaming addiction is a thing
On June 18, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed gaming disorder as a condition in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases. Yep, video game addition is now an official new mental health condition. Wow! According to WHO, the disorder “affects only a small proportion of people who engage in digital- or video-gaming…
Race to your Kindle!
I’m thrilled to announce that not one, not two, but THREE of my writing partners published books in the last month. It’s so exciting to see a book I critiqued make to it print. Julane Fisher, who lives on the other side of the lake from me (45 minutes by car), released Sour Lemon and Sweet…
Senior Pranks
Senioritis. It’s a real thing. High school seniors are ready to GET OUT! They’re so close to graduation. In fact, the rounds of parties have already kicked off. But, there are still a few weeks left in their final semester. What could they possibly do to occupy their time while they wait? Cram for finals?…
What’s your legacy?
I’ve always admired Barbara Bush. What a strong, gracious woman—a former second lady, first lady, and mother of six children, one of them a president. Flags flew at half staff when she passed April 17 at age 92. She left an amazing legacy. While her husband served 12 years as vice president and president, she…
Braves vs Cubs
Our good-natured competition began in 1985, when she still lived in Georgia. We’d been hired as junior editors within months of each other at Communications Channels, a magazine publishing house in Atlanta. We were young and living in a big city with new, exciting jobs. Life was good. Then it got better. My new friend…
Selma schools in a time warp
On this day, the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, I’m wondering if our society is where he envisioned it would be a half a century after he made the ultimate sacrifice for equal rights. On March 7, 1965, 600 activists decided to call attention to the civil rights movement by marching from…
What if Judas had waited?
All four of the Bible’s gospel writers tell about Judas’ betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. However, only Matthew describes what happens to Judas after Jesus is arrested. The next morning, Judas learns that Jesus has been condemned to die by crucifixion. Judas is so overwhelmed with guilt that he visits the chief…