Live. Love. Lead.

     Why are so many great women single? When I ask this question concerning my acquaintances, friends, family members, and myself I have to scratch my head a bit. How is it that there are women who are intellectual, accomplished, ambitious, attractive, well-mannered, and yet single?       In this Ms. Independent generation that praises career and material accomplishment, it seems that women of this type of pedigree would be the first to be woo-ed and won by the man of their dreams.      I believe the only method for answering such a question is to begin with the source--the Word of God. This is the bedrock that should form our faith, mold our perspective, and maintain our trust. Thus, it is to God's written Word that I turn to for answers.      With that said, we will start and end in Genesis 24. Why?--because Genesis 24 is the longest chapter in the whol...

     It's the holiday season. Which means lots of great food, football, and the greatest gift--family. But, as we (talking to us single ladies here) all know with family gatherings also comes that age old question, "So have you found a man yet?" Ahhhh! If you haven't heard this well-intentioned question yet; just wait...you will.      Many, if not all, of us have been asked at some time and in some fashion, "Awww you're so amazing why hasn't some man swept you off your feet yet?" Well, the funny thing is that many of us are also asking the same question.      I am in a career field with hard-working, intelligent, resourceful, beautiful, and hands down AMAZING women; many of which are single. What I can't seem to figure out is...why.      After countless discussions and vented frustrations, the single (not meant as a pun) most important question boils down to, "Why a...

   Our culture thrives on making us, especially women "second guess" ourselves. We "second guess" our upbringing, our choice of career, our looks, and so much more. We look back and often think, "Oh maybe I should have...?"     This past week, as I was reading Genesis 19, I was hit with this thought--do not be a woman who looks back. Here's the story from the Word-- the L-RD is destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. G-D's protecting angels told Lot to hurry and get out of the place and do not look back. As the divine annihilation is happening, "Lot's wife looked back and she turned into a pillar of salt." She looked back to a place that G-D had taken her out of. She forfeited her opportunity to completely fulfill the potential G-D had given her because she "looked back." Looking back inhibits our ability to freely live in the protective shadow of the Almighty.      How often have we been obedient to G-D in leaving a place t...

         Our homes are where we find refuge and a safe place from impersonal criticism and relentless push to achieve. Our homes are where we should find our value and maintain our humanity. Our homes are where we should learn and earn strong self-confidence and self-efficacy. Our homes are where the light of passion, belief, ingenuity, and strength are fanned alive. Our homes are where laughter is un-inhibited and joy is wholly expressed. Our homes are where we are free to realize and achieve our potential.Our homes are where we groom and realize our ultimate achievement--growing into the man or woman that G-D has endowed us with the capability of becoming. We must always realize that no career advancement, athletic feat, nor academic honor, or public accolade is worth anything if we have not first accomplished honor and harmony in our homes.     This upcoming school year we should challenge ourselves to continue to make our homes places of ...

     When we're young, often, we love our parents because we believe they're perfect.      But the older we get we begin to love them MORE because they are NOT perfect.      It's in this imperfection that we recognize the possibility of achievement despite      weaknesses and the potential for greatness despite challenges. In our parents       we see that great love, provision, and guidance are not reserved only for those      who are perfect; but for those who PURSUE...Those who pursue a calling higher  and greater than they could imagine---raising a family.        Maybe G-D's commandment, concerning honoring and obeying one's parents, promises long life because in our honoring we realize that G-D used our parents to give us life. And if life is the greatest gift then parents are th...

     It's amazes me how much our confidence and faith in the L-RD grows when we spend time with Him, listen to Him, and seek His face. It's equally intriguing how we can also so quickly see the challenges ahead and focus our attention on them instead of Him.      In Numbers 13, and again in chapter 32, there is an example of this scenario. "They went up...saw the Land and they dissuaded the hearts" (Numbers 32:6). This is the story of the spies who went to look at the Land; the amazing promise of G-D. Ten of them saw the greatness of the gift, but found it difficult to see the ability of the Giver. Nevertheless Joshua and Caleb's (the other two) hearts remained steadfast in HaShem's promise.      How often do we fall into the category of the ten spies? Many times we analyze G-D's ability through the lenses of our incapabilities.           He sees His hand of provisi...

   How many times have I said that? "I've always done it this way." Too many to count.    About 4 years ago I made a New Year's resolution (and funny enough I've kept it for four years). The resolution was this: Do at least one thing each year that I've never done before.    The reason I say this is because most of us like, no love, tradition. Yes, we can handle a bit of spontaneity, but we really cling to what we've always known.     After reading Matthew 15 earlier this evening I had a thought--"How long will we stay stuck in our comfortable traditions and miss the depth and intimacy of relationship with G-D?"    In Matthew 15, the Pharisees and scribes ask Yeshua why His disciples transgress the traditions of the ancestors. Now, "traditionally" (get it?) many people give the Pharisees a bad wrap. I try not to jump on that band wagon, but that's a different topic for a different time. But, Yeshua seems to get a little irr...