Every Pathway Led to Joy

“Through her masterful grasp of language, Bonnie imparts unique wisdom that can be learned only through trials, victories, and a life lived with steadfast faith.” —Nic Lesmeister, Executive Pastor, Gateway Church Every page of this book carries both joy and struggle.  I didn’t write from ideology but from living, learning, and trusting God through it…

2026–Not Just a Pause

The clean slate and lift of a new year gives an added boost of courage to begin again–especially on lifestyle changes or embedded habits where the bitter taste of failure lingers. The  brand new feeling of hope is on offer in 2026 with shining first,  second, or third chances for successful life changes and achievements….

Preorder available

I’m delighted to share about my new book, “A Roadmap to Joy: Find Your Way in a World of Discontent.”  The book comes from a very tender place in my heart. For years I have wrestled with the tensions that so many of us feel: longing for joy while walking through disappointments, pressure, uncertainty, and…

Choices

Even the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow can’t buy contentment. It is illusive. Culture is abstract yet often dictates our lives in concrete measures. Choice is concrete yet seems abstract as we begin choosing how to live. The secrets of contentment, which transcend the content of our culture, is rooted in…

Language

Lofty thoughts, which become ideals and hopefully–actions like forgiveness, freedom,  liberty, holiness, purity, redemption, atonement, justice, retribution, love, kindness, patience, or equality begin as seeds planted in the souls of mankind by the Spirit of God hovering upon the treasure of the universe. As we mature to grapple–chew and swallow these, they break through concrete barriers with rapid force and power like…

Shelter

She moves with stealth behind the scenes of autumn, steadily edging toward the razor cold  and lacy veil of ice and crystal. Then quietly she falls, winter’s  glorious mystique reveals in a day. In layers, it descends and deeper it penetrates,  much more than surface. The chill and snow seeps below. But not to spurn. It’s the season of fireside reflections,…

Across the Kitchen Table

I turn 75 tomorrow. I don’t feel old or irrelevant, although my culture may tell me otherwise. Older, more savvy friends and pastoral mentors shared with Wayne and me in our early 40’s that life doesn’t even get really fun and rich until your fifties. That was a bit of experiential advice that I put…

Terror and Beauty

I pause with reverence  on the balcony of my hotel room in the  Holy City. Across  from me stands the  New Gate, and my eyes  follow Jerusalem’s ancient walls as far as I can see.  The golden Dome of the Rock faintly gleams as dawn  peaks its way up and over the horizon  and walls….

The next time you want to shake your fist at God…

It is essential in our walk with God to understand him as a consuming fire. Most consider our Creator and his acts toward humankind to center around judgment or discipline. That he is ever-watching from heaven to smash our plans or even our lives. But the consuming fire of the Holy One of Israel and…