I’m No Superstar

I’m No Superstar is a blog for people like me who want to make a difference in the world but know they aren’t activists. Each post contains a social action idea that most of us could do, a book that’s worth reading, or a link to a website that offers other ideas. Oh, and it’s all introduced by a sometimes quirky story from my life.

A surefire way to wreak havoc

What is it? Expect everyone to be just like you. If we’re honest, we’ve often wished someone else (everyone else?) would behave, respond, feel, or think like we do. Whether it’s the guy at the office who hogs all the air time at meetings, or the kid who drags her feet and is late for

5 ways to cope when the world is a mess

OUCH. Mass evacuations in Afghanistan—and those left behind. Earthquake in Haiti. Hurricane in Louisiana. Fires and drought out west. Oil slicks in the Mediterranean. Delta overwhelming hospitals and exhausting healthcare workers. Flooding in Europe and Tennessee (and possibly my county, which is under a flood watch as the Ida remnant rains pour down today). It

New Life, Still Be-You-Tiful

Owen isn’t Owen anymore. Once he arrives at his new school, he’s determined to be Rocky. No more being called “Owen the Owl.” No more fourth-grade bullies picking on him for having glasses or being smart. Rocky will be his new-and-improved self. I don’t know how things will turn out for Owen/Rocky and his reinvention;

Finding Balance in Strange Places

Our homes are familiar spaces. But we are still in a strange place. Asked to stay in this space, sheltered in place, to protect not just our families but to protect others, the vulnerable. Are you finding yourself resembling the juggler—adding the teaching and entertaining of children to your already overfilled hands? Or maybe you’re

How Is Fear Filling Your Life During COVID-19?

Fear. It’s a big ugly emotion. And a stealthy one. It’s a master of disguise, masquerading as anger, frustration, bitterness, depression, jealousy, pride, or arrogance. The first week we were stuck home quarantining over COVID-19, I dealt with fear often. What would this mean for my work? What would this mean for our church? What

6 Ways to Bravely Rock 2020

What if I . . . We start to dream of something we might try, and then we pull back as the doubts and fears flood our minds. But as the experts say, “100% of the things you don’t try, won’t happen.” To move forward, to achieve our dreams and goals, takes bravery. And I’m

Some Days You Just Have to Eat Captain Crunch

Let me tell you a story: Back in 2001, I went to Atlanta to attend the CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) convention in conjunction with a Christian speakers conference I was participating in. A big part of CBA (and all) book publishing conventions is book signing events. A publisher will bring in an author (the more

Do you stick with a challenge?

Les and I are reading through an Advent devotional book this season. It’s something we try every few years—try, being the key word. We begin well, but, somewhere by the second week, it falls by the wayside as life crowds its way in. I’m proud to say we are up to date so far, even

My #1 Antidote to Anxiety and Fear

If there is one practice more than any other that has tamped down anxiety, worry and fear over my lifetime, it is the (almost) daily practice I call Breakfast with God. Whether God and I hang out at Panera Bread or at my kitchen table each morning, I spend time reading my Bible and then

 

Have Carol Speak For Your Group

An accomplished and flexible speaker, Carol tailors her topics to fit the theme and timeframes of your meeting, conference, seminar or retreat.