Colleen wrote the following journal entry about her thoughts, anxiety, and faith prior to a serious spine surgery she had in December, from which she is still recovering. A Journal Entry There’s something about the unknown that can be uncomfortable. I want to know the outcome of my upcoming surgery. But in addition […]
Author: Colleen Swindoll Thompson
How to Have the Greatest Christmas of Your Life (Even from a Hospital Bed)
There was no getting around it; I had to walk through the very thing I had avoided for years. As I left the medical building, the sights and sounds of the holiday season were everywhere. The air was crisp, and the roads were packed with drivers who apparently believed they owned the road but forgot […]
What to Do When Life Takes You from DIY to Totally Desperate
“How to . . .” “How to . . .” “How to . . .” Sometimes the Internet leaves me wanting. You too? Having perused what seemed like every website and social media page on the Internet, I couldn’t find what I was looking for. I did find everything from life hacks to little houses, […]
A Caregiver’s “Note to Self”
We were sequestered for thirty-six hours. My husband and I were the only two people in the room. They sent food to our room which was the only interaction we had with another human being. This went on for T H I R T Y – S I X hours! I am happy to tell […]
Lessons Learned on Life’s Battlefield
I never expected what happened while running errands the other day. The plan was to check some things off my to-do list while my husband and sons were home watching football. Being alone is a rare event, and the quiet always speaks to my soul . . . if I’m willing to listen. I had […]
How’s Your Health?
I wanted to run out of the doctor’s office when he asked that one question: “How’s your health?” My husband and I spent a full day at the Cooper Clinic for Dr. Ken Cooper’s complete medical check-up. Dr. Cooper is one of my heroes! He saved my dad’s life when he found some heart issues […]
What to Do When All Hell Breaks Loose
We had been sitting on the tarmac for over an hour . . . waiting . . . and . . . . . . waiting . . . . . . and waiting . . . . . . AND WAITING! Straight up, Jesus has fabulous job security with me on two of the […]
What You Don’t Know about Insight for Living Ministries—Forty Years Later
It happened in the summer of 1979. Emerging from under my parent’s bed, it grew quickly and landed on our kitchen table. Everything in life was about to change. I was four weeks away from starting junior high. Throughout childhood, my dad was a faithful father and dedicated local pastor. Our lives were simple. Raising […]
Secrets of Daily Trust
I came across a gem. A hidden gold mine. An article written by my dad, Chuck Swindoll, that I must share with you . . . The hour of 1:00 a.m. comes every night, but there’s one 1:00 a.m. I’ll never forget. While you were likely sound asleep, I was wide awake . . . […]
Recalculating: How to Navigate Life When You’re Lost
Ahhhh, FINALLY . . . we were off for a great weekend. Years ago, I was asked to speak at a women’s conference. The venue was about an hour away and near some places I love to visit. I called a friend and asked if she wanted to head out early so we could enjoy […]
Becoming Real
While driving to work today, my attitude wasn’t so great. More often than not, I’m a bit like Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh, but today I felt like Eeyore. I know in my head that stress and demands exhaust my spirit, but the journey from my head to my heart is a long one. On days like […]
The Holy Spirit’s Power and Presence in Times of Crisis
Are you going through a severe test? Maybe you have lost your appetite or you haven’t slept well for weeks or months. Fear and panic have replaced quietness and peace. You experience loneliness, discouragement, and isolation, complicated by unending physical or emotional pain. You’ve prayed and asked others to pray as well. And still, there […]