Opening Up
Lois Darbonne

Opening Up
For the last 14 months we’ve all been playing a pretty intense game of “keep away” from others. Physical distancing, face masks, working from home, social bubbles, Zoom meetings, and live streaming have all meant that we’ve had limited personal contact -- sometimes even with people we have close relationships with, and certainly with neighbors, acquaintances, and particularly strangers. (For those of us who are introverts, this, perhaps, hasn’t been all bad.) :) Read more...
Social Distancing without Social Disconnect: 3 Great Questions
Walk the Way

Social Distancing without Social Disconnect: 3 Great Questions
We are social beings! We need connection. And now, more than ever, Christians need to step into the lives of friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors in creative ways to care and share the love of Jesus. Thoughtful questions can open doors in the grocery store, on the phone, and across the back fence—even when you are standing six feet away!  Read more...
From Crushed to Dancing
Walk the Way

From Crushed to Dancing
An amazing event occurred to me one day as a result of discussing the 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations with my group. I was already noticing how my listening skills had improved and was eager to keep practicing, but the “practice-on-your-own” exercise we were asked to do one week seemed a little daunting: Read more...
Politics and Religion: What Happened in Conversation with “Cookie”
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Politics and Religion: What Happened in Conversation with “Cookie”

The first time I met “Cookie” at our coffee shop, he asked me if I was a famous violinist, which made me erupt with laughter—I am not musically talented! Over time, I had many other “chance” encounters with Cookie. Our talks were always brief and light.

Then one day in the coffee shop, Cookie sat down right at my table, which wasn’t typical. He started ranting about politics and religious people. Read more...

Why I Joined a Roller Derby Team
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Why I Joined a Roller Derby Team

Several months after my husband of 29 years suddenly passed away, I moved from the Chicago area back down to southern Illinois. We had lived in this town eight years prior, and both of my kids still lived there. Since we had been very active in the local community and church, I expected to have a good support group there. However, after several months of no one checking up on me, no one inviting me anywhere, and no one to do things with, I realized I had been wrong. Read more...

Love Your Neighbor
Walk the Way

Love Your Neighbor
In Dave Runyon’s book The Art of Neighboring, Runyon writes about his journey as a pastor and how that journey led him to his town’s city hall and a meeting with the mayor and the city manager. Neither were Christians. When Runyon asked them what area churches could do to help the city, their answer was Read more...