My Stroke After 5 Years

I am a work in progress! I have always loved this phrase. It gives hope for the future, that God isn’t finished with me yet! I love the phrase even more after my stroke, just over 5 years ago on September 19, 2017. It has been quite a journey! A couple of years ago, I shared … Read more

Climb: My One Word for 2022

It may be little late in the year (July), but it’s never too late to reflect on my One Word for the year. Each year since 2013, I have chosen One Word for the year to inspire me to move forward in a focused way. This is my 10th year! I started this discipline shortly … Read more

My Journey With Energy Management

For the last decade, I have been interested in managing and improving my level of ENERGY. I once wrote, Your Energy Level Matters. But I’ve also written a lot around energy management! In 2012, if there was any doubt, I learned that I Am Not Invincible! I had an elevated heart rate for much of … Read more

Courageous: My One Word for 2021

So, I should have written this at the beginning of 2021, but at least it’s a chance to check in part way into the year! I have been choosing a One Word each year since 2013 thanks to Jon Gordon (see some previous words: Train, Chase). My word choices have been particularly meaningful since my … Read more

God’s Word in Uncertain Times

Back around the beginning of the global pandemic earlier this year, I started a series of posts on Facebook where I shared verses of Scripture called, “God’s Word in Uncertain Times.” Of course, there are many, many words that speak to us in uncertain times. Here is the series I posted on Facebook over several … Read more

Foolishness or Faithfulness?

A Message for World Communion Sunday — Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Matthew 21:33-46 Are you a rule-follower? That’s something I never put into that language until one educator described one of his kids as that. Around 1988 I spent my summer on a short-term mission trip in the Philippines. Manila was my home-base. It was … Read more

Celebrating 3 Years

Life changed pretty dramatically three years ago. On the evening of September 19, 2017, I had a severe stroke, and quickly lost the use of my right side and my speech. I was taken to the ER in Clearfield, then I was flown to UPMC Altoona, then onto UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh before the night … Read more

God Has a Plan

In my new role as a district superintendent, I (Joleen) recently wrote this in an email to pastors in the Altoona District: Hear the words of the Lord from Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to … Read more

Guard Against a Victim Mentality

I have been thinking about this for a long time—a little over a year, according to my journal. Basically, I have come to realize that we must all guard against developing a victim mentality! Merriam-Webster defines “victim mentality” as … the belief that one is always a victim : the idea that bad things will … Read more

Life is Fragile!

This post is a little sobering. I drafted it back at the beginning of the pandemic and set it aside. But, I’ve found myself thinking about life, and how fragile it is.  Life has always been fragile. It’s just more noticeable during a pandemic. The truth is, none of us know how much time we … Read more