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Welcome!
Let's talk...
Step back in time, just a little, to when gathering on the porch to chat was a tranquil way to spend an afternoon.
Hello WINTER,hurry up spring!
Do you know how wonderfully awesome you are?
Old Man Winter Got Some New Threads!
Just Look at Him Shine!
Glistening Like Diamonds
Have you ever seen an ice storm? It is spectacular! When the clear smooth ice forms over branches and leaves, the sun casts an iridescent display of color that is magnificent! And when the icicles dangle from branches in the trees and a gentle breeze blows, it creates a symphony of wind chimes.
Yes, ice is - well, icy. Life can be icy too, but it can also be pretty spectacular!
Quieter, Calmer, Slower
Don't y'all feel like the cold slows us down? Maybe there's a reason for that. Maybe, just maybe, my Amish neighbors have something here.
Let's not take for granted the opportunity to cozy up under our favorite blanket by the fire and just slowwww down. If you haven't read it before, take a peek at my winter blog from 2023 called, "The Invitation to Pause". Let's all take this time to refocus and filter out unnecessary things that take up needless space in our hearts.
Reflect
Have I convinced you yet? No? Well, I think most of us can agree that these months are "muffled" by the distractions and noises of the world. Ever notice how a blanket of snow muffles everything?
Christ, the greatest teacher of all, modeled for us an unhurried, slower-paced life. He withdrew to quiet places to pray. Embrace the beauty of the slower season of winter, my friends, and step into the quiet so we can better hear God's voice!
PORCH TIME ~ NO AGENDA
Porch Therapy Now in Session
I know this lovely warm summer setting is wishful thinking for a lot of you right about now. Not to worry, when the cold settles in, there are other ways to have Porch Time! We can still be accommodating even when the weather isn't. Cozy up by a roaring fire, grab coffee with someone who needs a little encouragement, play board games, or break bread over dinner. Gather and enjoy this time of rest. It may not have the chaotic thrill of a day at the lake or a carnival roller coaster, but I submit to you that the symbolic rhythm of a peaceful season is much like a porch swing - slow and consistent.
PORCH DECOR ??
The Changing of the Porches
Well all I had to do for this round of the changing of my porch was winterize. If you live in a cold climate, you get it! I don't know if I'd label this "porch decor" but fortunately right about now, my porch is not covered in snow. Oh, but it has been graced with nature's decor like this before, and it will again.
When our porches of life settle in like this, we can grumble and complain, OR we can appreciate the quiet stillness, the slowing down, the rest. And just breathe in the crisp air. Friends, only after a settling such as this can we truly appreciate the grandeur of the newness of spring!
Sometimes in life we're sent a season change, and it might be a winter. Just know winters don't last forever. Isaiah 43:19 says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Cycles of Seasons, of Porches, of Life
First Comes Winter
First Comes Winter
First Comes Winter
Have you ever wondered why winter comes first? It's kind of like eating your veggies before dessert. Bear with me if you live in a warm climate and you have no idea what I'm talking about, or maybe you truly do love the "cozy up" season! If that's you, thank the Lord! But for most, winter is probably not the favorite. Never fear! As I sai
Have you ever wondered why winter comes first? It's kind of like eating your veggies before dessert. Bear with me if you live in a warm climate and you have no idea what I'm talking about, or maybe you truly do love the "cozy up" season! If that's you, thank the Lord! But for most, winter is probably not the favorite. Never fear! As I said above, we have to face the cold to appreciate what is to come!
Spring & Summer
First Comes Winter
First Comes Winter
This is one of the best times for Porch Time! Gathering with no agenda and appreciating the long-awaited glorious weather. In the Midwest where I live when the sun comes out and warms the earth, it's as if ants come to a picnic. People everywhere come out of the wood works walking, riding bikes, photographing, and enjoying outside like a
This is one of the best times for Porch Time! Gathering with no agenda and appreciating the long-awaited glorious weather. In the Midwest where I live when the sun comes out and warms the earth, it's as if ants come to a picnic. People everywhere come out of the wood works walking, riding bikes, photographing, and enjoying outside like a brand new phenomenon. You may have noticed at the top of the site that we have readers from all over the world, and I'd love to hear how your area celebrates a new season!
Autumn
First Comes Winter
Autumn
For many this is another favorite, although it doesn't have the instant reward gratification that comes after a long winter's nap. Porch Time around the harvest helps us focus on being thankful for all that God provided, along with the anticipation of Christmas and the celebration of Christ. Knowing too, that shortly after, we will once a
For many this is another favorite, although it doesn't have the instant reward gratification that comes after a long winter's nap. Porch Time around the harvest helps us focus on being thankful for all that God provided, along with the anticipation of Christmas and the celebration of Christ. Knowing too, that shortly after, we will once again begin the the cycle back to winter.
Each changing of the porches have their own very significant meanings, just as in our life changes. May we rise to the challenge of embracing their differences!
Winter Blues
Fear
Okay you guys, let's be real for a minute. Sometimes dark, cloudy, wintry days can get the best of us. With that, can come a host of moods, depression, anxiety, fear, and the list goes on. (See my blog on anxiety at the bottom of the page if you struggle with that one.) So can we stop pretending that it doesn't exist? And can we put aside the stigma? No, can we bury it altogether?
For now, let's talk about fear. So I went back to my archives of past articles and found something I wrote nearly five years ago. It said, "Here's a bit of a forewarning: when the pandemic is over, there will still be fear!" Prophetic? Hardly. But true nonetheless. In 2020 fear was prevalent, widespread, and understandable. Today in 2025 fear is prevalent, widespread, but those struggling with it are not as easily understood. Why?
Do you guys know that even the most faithful Biblical heroes had serious fear? Are we so much better than them that we can boast about our "faith over fear"? May we NEVER boast. Listen up people! Courageous, God-loving people don't stop hearing Satan's whispers of fear. They hear the whispers, but move forward towards God and His purpose! Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Friends, I don't think this verse is saying don't have a feeling. I think it's saying when you're in that place, move toward God and take the next step. When you're faced with fear, turn to Him and just - do - the - next - thing. Whatever that is. Isaiah 30:21 says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
You are courageous.
You are brave.
You are strong.
In the LORD.
This world is full of reasons to fear: jobs, health, children, loss.... Oh my goodness, sometimes we all need a porch to sit on with a friend! If you're facing fear or struggling in any way, please feel free to contact me below. It might not be literally on my porch, but I promise it will be confidential. We all need someone to talk to now and then. Scroll down and click on the aqua colored box.
Winter is for the Birds, Nah, Just Kidding!
Even on the coldest, wettest, darkest most blah-iest days, we can see the beauty of our feathered friends. We're told how much more valuable we are than the birds, and yet they fret not.
"Consider the birds: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" ~ Luke 12:24 and Matt 6:26
Culturally Relevant
Here's the Church, Here's the Steeple....
See this church? I have readers who would avoid it because of its architecture. I also have readers who would only go to a church that looks like this. Some of your churches look just like this, and I think that's awesome. Some of your churches look more akin to a warehouse, and I think that's awesome too.
I'm about to ruffle some feathers, but I love those feathers very very much. What I don't think is awesome is judging a church by the way it looks on the outside because of how you think it's going to judge you, because you have, in fact, just done the very thing you're afraid of having done to you. And I think we've all been a little guilty of this at one time or another. Do you see the irony here? So then, as far as I know, there is no church code that states a church with a steeple is going to be a conservative, hymnal-only, suit-wearing, pew-sitting, big-hat venue. Nor is a church in a strip mall or one that looks like a warehouse building necessarily going to be a contemporary, electric guitar-playing, torn jeans-wearing, folding chairs venue. Do you see what I'm getting at? And here's the clincher you guys. Every*church*has*problems. Every church. So goodness gracious, let's not judge the book by the cover before we even get inside. We ARE the Church.
Staying with the Times
We hear a lot about it in churches these days. Many contemporary, modern churches prove their relevance to a younger generation with rock music, a light show, a fog machine, coffee drinks, decor elements, and leaders clad in t-shirts and torn jeans. I propose that the Lord is far more concerned with your heart than your appearance, in either direction--conservative or contemporary.
My personal belief is that what is most important above all else is for the Truth of God to be preached. Can I get an Amen? The youth bring vitality to church. They are our future. We have a responsibility to teach them God's Word. If the church has the staffing and funding, it should provide teaching and activities for the youth that are engaging and relevant (there's that word again) to their ages. The Church will die without future generations!
BUT (there's always a but, am I right?)..... What's relevant to you or me, might not be relevant to others. And we do need balance. A hymn might be deeply meaningful to an older person, while a contemporary guitar solo might be so to someone else. Typically when the term "culturally relevant" is referenced, it is intended toward the younger, seeking generation. But what about relevance to the older, wiser generation?
Can a suit and tie with organ music live in harmony with jeans and an electric guitar? I pray that it can.
Young and Old
I've personally witnessed beautifully aged hands clasped over an elderly woman's ears to protect them from the loud music in church. I've seen senior couples walk out, and it breaks my heart. Oh and please remember folks that age doesn't indicate salvation. We can't assume that a sweet gray-haired man knows the Lord. He may need to hear the gospel more than that 16-year-old who was saved at a youth retreat.
While I agree 100% that we must bring the youth into our Christian realm, we must also respect and give honor to the wisdom of our seniors. Do the churches who strive so hard to be culturally relevant to the younger generation strive equally hard to include activities that would involve their seniors and be culturally relevant to them?
Can relevance be balanced to reach the Kingdom for all ages?
America in general, especially our churches, could learn well from other cultures who revere and care for their elderly. It saddens me to see them pushed aside in a separate room at church with a TV monitor! They have stories and lessons from which we can learn! We should include elderly seniors on panels in interviews, as teachers in Bible studies, and seek to gain their insight.
I pray that our younger generation and our senior generation would be the momentum that keeps the "big-C"
Church going for the Kingdom of Christ, whether in jeans or a tie, whether a hymn or a song, whether a steeple or not.
A Look Into the Future?
Spring Won't be Long
Just a little doorway to the not-to-distant future. It won't be long, my friends, and spring will be upon us.
This is a great reminder of the cycles we go through as we "spring" into the next season. I love to make use of my screen doors in the spring and summer. I have six! As soon as the weather will allow, the doors are open. This old wooden screen door is on my back porch, and it creeks and slams shut especially when my grandloves run back and forth. That's the sound of sunshine days to me, and I love it! Combine that with the creeking of a porch swing, and there's nothin' better.
For now, join me in this time of rest. Appreciate it for its own splendor and all that it has to offer. It's beautifully and wonderfully made, just like you.
About ME
PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS. LOVE MY FAMILY FIERCELY. DEVOTED FRIEND. BLESSED.
I hope you got it by now that I love the Lord, my family, my friends, and this amazing creation. So what else? I'm pretty simple really. God shifted my passion from children's ministry and called me to women's ministry. I was a teacher for about 20 years, and also taught Sunday school, Awana, & served as a camp counselor. I've had the privilege now for over 10 years to help with women's events, lead a ladies' Bible study with some amazing women, and co-lead a couples' life group with my husband. We live in the Midwest, have two married sons, two lovely daughters-in-love, and four beautiful grandsons!
Lest you think I have a picture-perfect life, I don't. I have had a 45 plus year history of complex orthopedic issues, 16 surgeries, chronic pain & fatigue, many serious and life-threatening medical diagnoses, and blood cancer with no cure. But God.... Have you noticed that life stories often have a "but God did this" scene? But God has showered me with iconic moments, times of celebration, acts of kindness bestowed upon me, and opportunities to bless others.
I'm sure you can say the same.
Whether you gather on the porch, in the house, in the yard, in the garage, on the driveway, or in the barn, "porch time" is about making memories and being intentional about passing along your faith. It's about the kind of legacy you will leave. What will define your next stage of life? I hope it actively involves pointing others to Jesus.
More about all that to come. Let's get to know each other.
~Guest Book~
If you've sat on my porch but don't see your name, use the contact link above so I can add you!
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Family
Dale Matthew Heather Lucas Elijah Noah Taylor Adrienne Milo Dolly Tom John Donna L Antoinette Suzanne Glen Liz Joshua Alexandria Kay Marge Marvin Gwen Dean Elise Raymond Sue Jesse Lorie John N Elmer Hannah Mac Angie Mary E Mark E Bob Jenny
Bible Study Gals
Donna Jackie Judy Joan Cindy H Gail Claudia Joanie
Denise T Denise C Shelly Diane J Susan Sherry Diane D Tracy Pat Debbie Marcia
Life Group Couples
Tom Sara Roberta Mike Stan Diane Norm Laurie Jeff Reba Cindy Jake Roger Kathy Tim Carol Cindy B Todd Forrest Sonia Trina Dale Cathy Tom
Special Beloved Friends
Kathy Tony Nancy Victoria Josiah Lincoln Vicki Ron Jennifer Sheldon Brigitte
Terri Trevor Deb Rhonda Tabitha Ron Lois Nicole Mark Donell Mav Kaylee Kendra Val Laurie Rhonda John L Tom Joanie Sue M Sharon Hugh Dianna Denise R Bonnie Phil Davis Brittany Tim Clara Tim K James Lynda Damon Jenny Matt R Jon R Michelle Pat Joe
In Memory Of
Darlene Johnson * Kris Hood