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Leighton Ford’s Deep Influence Lucinda Secrest McDowell Is your influence on others deep or wide? Today’s culture extols the wide reach. For people in my profession, worth is measured by how many followers we have on social media and how many people come to speaking events or purchase books. Mega­churches are often considered more significant…

Are You Too Weary to Climb that Mountain? Lucinda Secrest McDowell “How much farther to the top?” I panted to my hiking companions. My Furman friends and I loved to spend weekends climbing in the Great Smokey Mountains, but I inevitably seemed to drift into that unenviable position of ‘bringing up the rear.’ “Not too far,…

What Do We Do with Random Acts of Violence? Lucinda Secrest McDowell Will we ever get used to the news of a mass murder of innocent people? In a church? In a theatre? In a school? In an office? In a nightclub? I hope not. I hope we remain horrified. And utterly saddened. I hope…

 The Power that Lifts Up When We Fall Lucinda Secrest McDowell My first thought was, “What am I doing sprawled at the bottom of these stairs?” Beside me, I noticed my purse in the corner and one shoe lying nearby. I didn’t know exactly how I had fallen down the stairs, but as I was…

Have You Opened the Gift?  Lucinda Secrest McDowell Every single day of my life I thank God for His gift of GRACE to me. Every day. What is that grace that literally “saved a wretch like me”? (thank you, John Newton for writing the hymn “Amazing Grace”) My own definition  is: “Grace is God giving…

A Long Line of Powerful Women Lucinda Secrest McDowell For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. —1 Corinthians 4:20 She had no idea she had any power. All she thought she had was beauty. And a big secret. Esther was a Jewish orphan living…

For Those Who Served… Lucinda Secrest McDowell Most of us cannot even imagine the horror of young Allied troops landing on Omaha and Utah Beaches in Normandy seventy-five years ago. But for any who experienced first-hand D-Day on June 6, 1944, their lives have never been  the same. And our country owes each of them…

Best. Thank You Note. Ever.  Lucinda Secrest McDowell Mama taught me that when given a Gift, the only proper response is to say “Thank You”… then immediately write a Thank You note.  So, today as I write some thank you notes, my heart is full of gratitude  – to God, family,  friends,  readers… This week…

The Original ‘Old Faithful’ Lucinda Secrest McDowell The park ranger promised me it would happen at this exact moment. And as I stood with hundreds of people from all over the world, our long-awaited anticipation was rewarded with a true spectacle.             Old Faithful.             The famous geyser at Yellowstone National Park that erupts about…