We have a special guest with us this month at CWO: Allison Bottke! Allison is an inspirational writer, speaker, and novelist who shares her story of triumph over tragedy to encourage others to embrace the life-transforming power of God. She’s the founder of the God Allows U-Turns series, which now includes 21 books, and this year she published her first novel, A Stitch in Time. She’s one busy woman, and we’re blessed to have caught up with her for an interview.

Allison, I loved your debut novel, A Stitch in Time–I couldn’t put… Read More

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
- James 5:16 (New Living Translation)

I remember the day Mary’s note arrived, because I had spent most of the night before tossing and turning about a medical test I’d be taking the following day. I never considered myself much of a worrier, but this was different. I was in my thirties, busy with family and a blossoming writing career. I… Read More

As a young girl I had dreams of running a bed & breakfast. I dreamed up cozy little guest rooms stocked with every imaginable comfort for visitors. I decorated them in my mind with fluffy comforters, fine linens and piles of books on bedside tables. I am a detail girl so no effort was too small.

As the likelihood of running a B&B became less of a reality, I still was intrigued with ways of showing care and friendship in the details of hospitality. Sometimes hospitality is hosting overnight guests or… Read More

I have flailed and I have failed. Too many days I have meted out grating cacophony, loose and disordered.

There’s a time to stir porridge, but someone howls, “I can’t find socks!” and I’m digging about for two purple ones the same size, preferably holeless, to soothe teary angst, while oatmeal burns black.

There’s a time to collect curious ones to read a stack of nourishing words, and the washing machine sirens its last spin and I’m stringing up a pinned necklace of wet towels and children and reading time… Read More

This month Jill chats with Christian chick-lit author Marilynn Griffith. This bundle of energy is mom to a tribe, wife to a deacon and proof that God gives second chances. While best known for her colorful novels about friendship, family and faith, Marilynn is also a speaker and nonfiction writer. Her nonfiction has been included in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN’S SOUL and several other devotionals and magazines. Currently, Marilynn is editor of the SISTAHFAITH:BELIEVING BEYOND SHAME anthology and founder of Faithchick.com, a blog for faith fiction… Read More

Listen to CWO Radio this month, as Jill Hart chats with author, Kay Strom. Kay loves to write, and she loves to share what she writes about. Guess you’d call her a natural-born communicator! Author of 34 books and numerous magazine articles, Kay’s work has appeared in many compilations, book clubs, and around the world in many languages. She has recently completed the scripts for two movies and is hard at work on a historical biography and a historical novel trilogy.

In addition to her writing, Kay is an articulate, personable, and dynamic… Read More

I cooked dinner last night. Too bad my oldest child had already done his science fair project—the remains of my culinary escapade would have made a great display. My darling hubby was sick, and wasn’t in the room during the ordeal—which makes me eternally grateful. He already has more kitchen stories against me than he can shake a spatula at.

Here’s how my little science experiment went:

Purpose: To cook dinner for the family.

Hypothesis: I will burn, break, or bandage something before the night… Read More

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not healing, nor curing… that is a friend who cares.
~Henri Nouwen

These past three months have been very difficult for me on many different levels – emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  Through it all, I have come to realize that I could not have done this alone.  I could not have faced those moments of despair and tremendous anxiety without a… Read More

I am 20 years old and have grown up in a Pentecostal church serving and loving God. I watched you on Full House while I was growing up (and still do today since it’s in syndication). You were such a huge role model for me growing up, and still are. I recently read Kirk’s book Still Growing, and found out that you are a Christian as well. I was overjoyed because there are few celebrities who proclaim their Christianity. I admire you very much–you are an amazing example

Is it August already?  School is about to begin, Fall will be here shortly, and the lazy days of summer are almost behind us. I had a great time reading some awesome books this summer.  I wish I could draw special attention to each book–they were all that good!

“Skid” is for your funny bone. “Such A Time As This” will have you view Esther in the Bible with greater admiration.  You feel like you are losing some friends when you finish “Searching For Eternity.”  A smile of admiration will cross… Read More

Greetings fellow Boomer Babes! You know the theme for my Boomer Babes Rock column this year has been “Freedom.” Because I am on a series of crazy deadlines, I decided to exercise this freedom. “The Freedom to Recycle a Previously Published Freelance Article.”

Someone asked me recently about my time as a Plus Size model with the Wilhelmina Agency in California. I found an article that was published years ago and am sharing it with you this month. Warning, this is a long article, but hopefully you will enjoy it. Have a blessed August!

All I could see were… Read More

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.
- Jeremiah 17:7, The Message

Summer always seems to be a time for relaxing and having fun.  You don’t have to put on the trappings of winter before stepping outside–there’s a freedom the colder months don’t offer.

Just as our clothes are lighter, our… Read More

Every time I struggle with weight loss—and I do—I’m reminded of my sister, Bonnie. I’ve often talked about her over at Live Well Wednesdays, as the sister who went from a size 14 to an itty-bitty 4 this past year. What facilitated the change? Was it her portion control? Was it the fact that she went to the gym every day? Was it the water she started drinking? Those are the questions the world around her is asking. The answer is that, yes, in part those things took place, but most importantly her… Read More

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”(Matthew19:21  NLT)

Wasn’t it that great philosopher, Andy Warhol, who once said, “Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes?” The culture we live in flaunts the importance of popularity, fame and money without apology. Everyone, it seems, has a desire for notoriety. In truth, I think it’s an innate yearning to be worshipped. I wouldn’t doubt it’s that same… Read More

Four potted raspberry vines stared accusingly at me, but I managed to ignore them as I made my way to the car. I needed a break. I needed to lay off the cooking, baking, cleaning, planting and harvesting and steal a few hours of walking, shopping, talking and laughing. So no … I didn’t feel the least bit guilty as I walked past those pots. The raspberries could wait.

Pike Place Market is a forty-minute drive from our little farm. I spent that time sipping a latte–even though I knew my friend

I received many interesting emails in response to last month’s topic, “BFF’s in the Church Pews.”  This month I’d like to elaborate just a bit.  (Scroll down to the July post if you’ve not yet read this article.)

I think the majority of you understood the three categories of friends I proposed. One reader shared that her Bible study teacher referred to these as Paul, Timothy, and Barnabas relationships.  Another pointed out the fact that Jesus had twelve disciples but three of those comprised His inner circle.  Both of these comparisons capture… Read More