Yesterday, as we swept floors, packed coolers, and loaded the last bags into the car, I found myself fighting back tears. The lake house was exactly the same. The dock was still there. The water still sparkled in the afternoon sun. The familiar creak of the screen door still welcomed us as it has for…
Recreating the “Pontoon” Lifestyle: How to Capture That Easy Summer Feeling on Your Own Boat
There are some songs that instantly transport us to another place. You hear the first few notes and suddenly you’re no longer sitting at your desk, folding laundry, or running errands. Instead, you’re floating peacefully on a lake, soaking up sunshine, laughing with family and friends, and forgetting for a little while about the stress…
What Is Yacht Music? Why This Boomer Can’t Hear “Sailing” Without Going Back to 1982
Whenever I hear Christopher Cross singing “Sailing,” I’m instantly transported back to Virginia Beach in 1982. As someone who came of age in the early 1980s, yacht music wasn’t just a genre—it was the soundtrack of my youth. Back then, we didn’t call it yacht rock or yacht music. These songs were simply everywhere. Every…
Top 10 Things You Need for the Perfect Dinner Cruise on Your Pontoon Boat
Free Checklist at the End! This past weekend, my sister-in-law and I celebrated our 62nd birthdays together in one of my favorite ways—on a pontoon boat, cruising across the lake while enjoying a beautiful birthday dinner. I’ve always believed that ordinary places can become extraordinary with a little creativity and intention. Over the years, I’ve…
Preparing the Way
May 21, 2000 | 1 Chronicles 21-22 Several years ago, my dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas. My answer surprised him. I didn’t ask for jewelry, a gift card, or something wrapped in festive paper. Instead, I asked for something that had been quietly accumulating over decades—his Sunday School lessons. For years, Dad…
10 Romantic Pontoon Boat Dinner Tablescapes for an Unforgettable Evening on the Water
There is something undeniably magical about dining on the water. The gentle rocking of the boat, the glow of a setting sun reflecting off the lake, and the peaceful sounds of nature create the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a special date night, or simply wanting to create…
How Do You Preserve Family Stories?
Recently, I did something that might seem a little unusual. I ordered a small brass plaque for the inside of a cabinet. Not because the cabinet is particularly valuable. Not because it belongs in a museum. I did it because I’m worried that someday no one will know what it is. The cabinet belonged to…
The Trellis for a Well–lived Life: Revisiting Crafting a Rule of Life
Several years ago, while I was attending seminary, I took a class that focused on contemplative spirituality. It was a refreshing departure from the constant activity and achievement that often characterize both ministry and modern life. During that course, I was introduced to Stephen Macchia’s book, Crafting a Rule of Life, and as part of…
Chicks on the Road: Following the Road God Sets Before Us
Life is a journey. We often hear that phrase, but the older I get, the more I realize how true it really is. Rarely does life unfold according to the carefully crafted plans we make. Roads curve. Detours appear. Unexpected opportunities emerge. Sometimes we find ourselves traveling paths we never would have chosen, only to…
10 Beautiful Christian Retreat Centers in Pennsylvania for Churches and Small Groups
In a world that often feels hurried and noisy, there is something deeply restorative about stepping away from everyday routines and gathering together in a place set apart. For generations, Christians have sought sacred spaces where they can worship, pray, learn, laugh, and simply enjoy fellowship with one another. Long before conference centers and hotels…