January 2025 - I Choose Your Way

Yesterday, New Year’s Eve, was my 65th anniversary of choosing God’s way for my life.

When I was growing up, my family went to church fairly often, but knowing God and walking with Jesus was not a major influence in my life. But my friend Patty often took me to church with her family, and I began to grasp that there was more to knowing God.

Then Patty invited me to go with her to a Young Life winter camp in Colorado. It started with a train ride from Dallas to Buena Vista with a bunch of other kids and Young Life staff. And a promise that I would learn to ski and meet cute boys.

That happened. But I also learned about God’s love and His sacrifice for me through His Son, Jesus. The last night the speaker described all that Christ had done for me, and that He wanted to come into my life, forgive my sins, and show me His better way for my life.

What?!? God has a better way for my life than I do. As someone who always wanted her own way, that was a challenging offer. I waited, I pondered, I weighed the implications. And I said, “I choose Your way!”

And so it began….

Indigitous—Reaching Every in New Ways

Years ago, in 2013, when Cru was beginning to seriously pursue digital means to tell everyone about Jesus, I began using social media to get my messages out—though I knew nothing about the technology. I was invited to speak at several conferences—including this one in Panama—to cast a vision for digital.

After they figured out more advanced ways to employ digital tools—and no longer invited me—Indigitous was created and expanded. Here is a recent report from Russ Martin with Indigitous:

In Austin, Texas during a recent innovation sprint, we partnered with the Apologist Project who developed a chatbot that leverages artificial intelligence to enable meaningful conversations about faith.

The chatbot responses are tailored to specific world views. By citing trusted sources from specific worldviews, such as Islam, and connect them to truth

Inspired by the apostle Paul's approach to ministry, we want to see more people explore innovative projects that take the gospel to new people, places, and spaces.

So as we enter 2025 we are trusting God for USD 25,000 to continue to seed innovation projects just like this one.

Books—And yes, books still matter

Today I want to introduce you to three books, written by three good friends of mine.

Beth English worked with me in Publications back in the 70’s. She is still on Cru staff, and she wrote a beautiful poem I love: https://tinyurl.com/mxasfwhr. She has recently published a book I resonate with: The Unextinguished Light-Redefining Significance and a Legacy that Endures

To Purchase:On a phone: go to davidaenglish.com and click on the black bar across the top, then go to bookstore .On a computer: go to davidaenglish.com and click on bookstore in the right hand corner

Maggie Bruehl is a long-time friend of mine, a great encourager and a prayer warrior. She has miraculously survived Multiple Myeloma for many years. This book tells the story: Suspended: Living with Dying

Purchase Suspended

Judy Nelson Lewis and I both had the privilege of being Editors of Worldwide Challenge Magazine. And I had a small part in bringing her and husband Bob together. Exhale is your invitation to release the weight you carry;Your unhelpful thoughts about yourself. Your unhelpful thoughts about God.

Purchase Exhale

Cheering for My Team

Many of you know I’m a big Texas fan! It’s been nice these past few years to see them playing well again. So I’m cheering for them today—New Years! Some of you will know how they did by the time you read this. Some of you don’t care. My sister tie-dyed this shirt for me.

Holidays with Grands & Granddogs

Over this holiday season I have spent wonderful time with Debbie, Michelle, and Josh, and their fabulous spouses—Nick, Brad, and Lesley. And I feel doubly blessed to have also been with, talked with, played games with, given gifts to, and prayed for each of my 10 grands.!!!

And then an extra bonus: All my granddogs seem to like me, maybe even love me, and especially like to lick me. Meet Zoe (the oldest), Maverick, Remy, Pepper, and Spur. Multiple blessings.