Author Archives: Verla Wallace

The God Summit

My husband and I have what we call a Marriage Summit every Monday at 2pm. We’re empty nesters now and most of the work we do—paid or volunteer—we do at home. It’s not as if we don’t see or talk … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Living, Life Purpose, Spiritual Growth, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

“Comments? Anyone? Anyone?”

When President Biden recently delivered his annual State of the Union address, the whole world was watching in real time, and analysis of his every word began before the speech was even over. Big city newspapers and the 10 o’clock … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Living, Our speech, Personal Growth, Surviving in an Unkind World, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Gift of Staring at Your Shoes

Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Cormac McCarthy once said that insights about life spring from the subconscious and require a lot of staring at your shoes. I don’t think he literally meant we must stare stupidly at our shoes, waiting for … Continue reading

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A Suggestion For Your Reading List

Time out for a personal note: I’m excited to announce the publication of my new book, available now on Amazon. It’s the story of a 40-day unconventional road trip taken 25 years ago. Call it a mid-life re-evaluation, a mid-life … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure, Christian Living, Mid-life Evaluation, Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Unexpected Lesson of Irma

No one has on their bucket list: “To Go Through a Hurricane.” Even an adventurous teenager who has bungee-jumped off a bridge, dived from an airplane, and mastered Escape Rooms, ever says, “Aww, gee, Ma, why can’t we do a … Continue reading

Posted in Disaster, Fear, Perseverance, Personal safety | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The Death of Discernment

I connected this week with my 22-year old niece who is in Italy on a personal 500-mile pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. There are many routes a pilgrim can choose to complete this spiritual journey. She spent time in … Continue reading

Posted in discernment, Fake news, Discernment, Our speech, Politics, social justice | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Different Kind of Radical

Mass shootings have topped the news 11 times in the past few weeks, racking up a stunning list of casualties. Cops, gays, African-Americans and people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. So many, … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Living, Courage, Living in a Violent World, Surviving in an Unkind World | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

“Are We Safe Yet?”

I sat down near the play area in a local mall a couple of days ago, waiting for a friend, and watched as two young boys fooled around on the jungle gym. Their grandmother kept a semi-watchful eye nearby, engrossed … Continue reading

Posted in Courage, Fear, Personal safety | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Most Important Feature in My Home

I had lunch today with a good friend who shared her disappointment about losing a house she and her husband tried to buy. The home–priced right, in a good neighborhood–ended up in a bidding war, with multiple buyers offering crazy … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Living, Perseverance, Suffering, Surviving in an Unkind World | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Story Behind “The Forgottens”

I’ve just completed a series of sculptures I call “The Forgottens.” I had never sculpted, despite a lifetime of creative interests. No time or money for it. But a birthday check a year ago sent me to an art center … Continue reading

Posted in Compassion, Judging Others, social justice, Suffering | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments