Category Archives: Uncategorized

Christian Life, Friendship, Uncategorized

I hope you have friends like this

February 13, 2014 Diane Rivers 4 Comments

I’m guest-posting at ryanhuguley.com today. Please join me there to read “Seven Marks of Authentic Friendship” in its entirety.

Paulette and I share a unique history that goes back 30 years. Time and distance conspire now to keep us apart but when we connect, even though it necessarily involves airplanes and major schedule adjustments, it’s always worth it.

She and I chose a career in Federal law enforcement at a time when earning the respect of our peers in a male-dominated profession meant embracing an over-the-top work ethic and developing a very “thick hide”. That experience cultivated a unique bond, in and of itself.

We were pregnant together and shared the unique travails reserved for expectant mothers in that kind of job. We raised our children in a world we viewed through a particular lens of danger and did our best to make their lives “normal”.

Early on in our friendship, we discovered we had more than just our careers in common.

Click here to read the rest of this post.

(If you’d like to receive an email when I publish a new post, please go to my home page here and subscribe. I’d be honored.)

Christian Life, Faith, Uncategorized

Breathing Jesus

February 5, 2014 Diane Rivers 8 Comments

I have several, shall we say, complicated relationships in my life. The identities and details aren’t important here but my struggle to resolve friction and find peace with them, is.

Relational meltdowns leave me reeling. As weird as it may sound, I experience what I imagine suffocation would feel like: desperation turning to panic, then helplessness, hopelessness, and finally, defeat. I know, how dramatic. But perhaps you can relate on some level. Continue reading Breathing Jesus →

Christian Life, Community, Uncategorized

A Question That’s Never Inappropriate

January 27, 2014 Diane Rivers 4 Comments

People ask really cringe-worthy questions of each other all the time, have you noticed?

“Are you pregnant or just putting on weight?”

“What kind of money do you make in that job?”

“You look good… Botox?”

“You’re leaving the ministry? Isn’t that like getting a divorce from God?”

“Why are you still single?”

“What caused your marriage to end; didn’t you try hard enough?”

“Is that a toupee?”

I used to think when I was asked something inappropriate, if I responded, “Excuse me?” the person would repeat the question, hear how outrageous it sounded, and maybe decide to withdraw it.

I’ve found that almost never works. Continue reading A Question That’s Never Inappropriate →

Christian Life, Community, Uncategorized

What Christians of “A Certain Age” Should Never Do

January 19, 2014 Diane Rivers 26 Comments

Last May I joined a vibrant, growing church in the Chicago suburbs, one very different from the mega-church I had served in for the prior 25 years.

The pastoral staff at my new church is young (by that I mean, the lead pastor is in his early 30s, and he’s the oldest of the bunch). They are all filled with passion, energy, and Godly wisdom that inspires me every time I interact with them. Theirs is the generation taking the Church into the next grand chapter and it’s crazy exciting to be a part of it.

For people like me, who’ve served in the church for most of our lives, there’s a bit of risk here. Continue reading What Christians of “A Certain Age” Should Never Do →

Christian Life, Faith, Uncategorized

It’s Not a Gift If You Have to Pay For It

January 12, 2014 Diane Rivers 4 Comments

Maybe it’s because we’ve just celebrated Christmas that I’ve been thinking about gifts. I wonder, why do we do that? What is it that inspires humans to give things to each other?

Back in the 80’s, a friend of mine married into an affluent family. As a wedding gift, her in-laws said they wanted to spring for bedroom furniture for her and her new husband.

The happy couple was elated; they went out shopping and found a great deal on a lovely walnut set: a dresser, chest and two end tables. It was perfect for their small rented apartment and they were beyond pleased.

There was just one problem: it wasn’t what my friend’s new mother-in-law had in mind and she was quick to tell them so. Continue reading It’s Not a Gift If You Have to Pay For It →

Christian Life, Faith, Uncategorized

Jesus had scars, too

December 29, 2013 Diane Rivers 5 Comments

I once took a major header in a bank parking lot in Hammond, Indiana, chasing a bad guy. (True story.) I skidded across the gravel on all fours and took off the first layer of skin on the fronts of both my lower legs and the heels of both hands.

My adrenalin was pumping, so it didn’t hurt at first; I got up and kept running. But later, when the fun was over (after we caught the guy) and I was in the ER, I realized, “THAT’S going to leave a mark”. Which it did.

Even though they anesthetized the area and removed the dirt and rocks from my legs and hands by scrubbing them with what felt like a wire brush (ouch), there was some “tattooing” effect on my legs for a long time. That was awhile back now and it’s since faded, thankfully.

I’ve actually been fortunate not to have experienced a lot of injuries that would leave visible marks, even though I’ve been physically active my whole life (and my chosen profession notwithstanding).

But we all know, it’s not just shoulder surgeries, herniated discs, and road burn that leave their calling cards. The invisible scars can be worse. Continue reading Jesus had scars, too →

Christmas, Uncategorized

Five good things about being sick at Christmas

December 21, 2013 Diane Rivers 11 Comments

To set the stage, I’ve just returned from a two week trip to South Korea and I’m seriously jet lagged.

I have a miserable cold and it’s December 21. Christmas is in four days and I’ve written not the first Christmas card nor done one bit of Christmas shopping or decorating.

The weather is about to turn ugly (again). There’s a winter weather advisory in effect today and bitter cold is said to be heading our way.

But I am so grateful. And I can think of at least five reasons why. Continue reading Five good things about being sick at Christmas →

Christian Life, Faith, Uncategorized

An invitation prompted by a ’70s folk song

December 15, 2013 Diane Rivers 2 Comments

Who out there remembers the Gordon Lightfoot song, “If you could read my mind”? If you’re singing it in your mind right now, you’ll recall the next line was “…what a tale my thoughts could tell”.

I was a big fan back in the day and even went to hear him in concert live. Then I bought a book of his music and tried to teach myself (unsuccessfully) to play the guitar.

The song – which remains etched into my mind after all that – is about feelings that have been lost and ghosts from wishing wells and paperback novels and…well, other things that don’t apply here.

But the part about “what a tale our thoughts could tell”? That, I can relate to. Continue reading An invitation prompted by a ’70s folk song →

Christian Life, Community, Faith, Uncategorized

I’m at a crossroads and I’m not afraid

December 5, 2013 Diane Rivers Leave a comment

I’m honored to be guest posting on my pastor’s blog today. Ryan Huguley is lead pastor at Redemption Bible Church in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, a vibrant young congregation in the northwest suburbs of Chicago that is making a huge difference in the community.

Please click here to join me there and read “I’m at a crossroads and I’m not afraid”.

(As always, if you’d like to get an email when I publish new posts, just go to my home page here and subscribe.)

Christian Life, Faith, Uncategorized

A song that could have been written about my Dad

November 30, 2013 Diane Rivers 16 Comments

Today is my Dad’s 91^st birthday and there’s a Christian song so reflective of his life, it could have been written specifically about him. After I tell you a bit of his story, I think you’ll agree.

The fact that he’s lived 91 years is remarkable in and of itself. This is a guy whose fragile health as a child had doctors predicting he would never reach adulthood.

Eighty or so years and several health crises later, he still preaches at his church, shares his faith anytime there’s an “open door”, joins his friends for breakfast twice a week, and until recently was a chaplain on call at the local hospital.

And all that barely scratches the surface of the schedule he keeps. Continue reading A song that could have been written about my Dad →

Diane Rivers

Category Archives: Uncategorized

I hope you have friends like this

(If you’d like to receive an email when I publish a new post, please go to my home page here and subscribe. I’d be honored.)

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Breathing Jesus

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A Question That’s Never Inappropriate

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What Christians of “A Certain Age” Should Never Do

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It’s Not a Gift If You Have to Pay For It

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Jesus had scars, too

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Five good things about being sick at Christmas

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An invitation prompted by a ’70s folk song

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I’m at a crossroads and I’m not afraid

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A song that could have been written about my Dad

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Finding Joy in a Workaround Life

(If you’d like to receive an email when I publish a new post, please go to my home page here and subscribe. I’d be honored.)

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Finding Joy in a Workaround Life