Live. Love. Lead.

     I am amazed at how many times I hear that phrase and yet mostly everywhere we look people are exactly the same. We are a generation starving for individuality and remain amidst "carbon copies." It makes me wonder if we understand what it means to, "just be yourself."      This past week I was reading I Samuel 17 when David is about to face Goliath. David is confident in G-D's ability to conquer this literal giant. About midway through the scene, the Scripture says, "Saul clothed David in his own garment...and David said, 'I cannot walk in these, for I am not used to them'." David could do NOTHING with Saul's garments on.     So many times we try and put on "garments" or lifestyles that are not fitting for us. Lifestyles that, like David, we can't walk in. We live in a world that is constantly asking the question, "Oh I wonder what it's like to be _____?" or "How come I don't have ______ like ___...

     And so we begin our journey to about 3,000 years ago to find an answer to a question that presents itself to us in the here and now--Why are so many great women single? As I attempt to answer this question from the perspective of the Word of G-D; we will encounter various challenges that we, as single women, must face and conquer. And it is in the beginning of Genesis 24 that our first challenge appears.      Abraham has recently buried Sarah and has graciously been blessed with all things (Genesis 24:1). He calls his most trusted servant and makes him swear that he will not get a wife for his son Issac from the Canaanites.                     1. Set Apart--Even before we meet Rivka the context shows us that she is a woman who is "set apart." She is not like the Canaanite women; these were women who were immersed in a culture o...

     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...