Manassa, Colo., to Pagosa Springs, Colo., — 100 miles from where I began is where I find myself today. So many off-roads I chose — some decisions made out of defiance, and some from the core of …

When I look around, I see exhaustion in everyone. It’s like we are all climbing a steep slope to a distinct peak. Guess what? We are. Many of us are too busy climbing the mountain that we lose …

Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall” always takes me back. The first cool breath of autumn, the scent of freshly cut hay, the first leaves beginning to turn yellow — football season arrives, …

When the smoke cleared, the Rio Blanco Fire, one of the worst in Archuleta County’s history — had left 1,388 acres blackened. From County Road 335, dark shadows stretched across the north face of …

I recently shared a teaching with the Wolf Creek Christian Writers Network built around one stirring word: axiom. For weeks, this word “axiom” exploded in my mind — a foundational truth …

Before the fire, my daughter and son-in-law came to do some deep cleaning. They swept cobwebs out of corners, cleaned away which had been hidden and brought attention to things long forgotten. Yet, …

I like to think of myself as a dinner bell for the spiritually hungry — one who speaks revelation from heaven in words that brings clarity to hard-to-understand truth. I’ve spent my whole life …

Wildfire raced through the canyon as if its pants were on fire, roaring toward my daughter’s house at the base of the canyon. It gathered trees, debris, and ultimately more than 1,000 acres burned …

Kaela, elegant as a city sunrise, said yes to Slade, our grandson, the country boy with dust on his boots and devotion in his heart. One day she came a knockin’ at his heart’s door and he knew …

July 2 was one of those ugly days my friend talks about when she says, “We have good days and ugly days.” This was an ugly day. Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City, was touting, …

I’m always ready — I pack my suitcase the week before the trip, my articles are sent two weeks ahead of deadline and my lesson plans are always done early. My Sweet Al’s says, “Betty, …

Picture 6-year-old Paul Maclean in the 1992 film “A River Runs Through It.” He refused to eat. His meal waited in front of him until the next day and he still refused to take a bite. As my …

The Holy Spirit’s wall of fire is not singing a Johnny Cash love song, where he was falling into a burning ring of fire. And his passion burned, burned, burned. This wall is a fire of God’s love …

A whiff of pizza topped with garlic, cheese, dried tomatoes and pesto moved through the air. My grandson introduced me to a new restaurant years before. Now I enjoyed this favorite place again with …

Staying alive is hard work. I could only dream of making some of John Travolta’s dance moves from his 1983 musical, “Staying Alive.” Right now, moving very slowly with a walker is all I can …

“You’ve come a long way, Baby.” A catchy phrase for Virginia Slims cigarettes in 1968, designed to support the women’s liberation movement — to smoke in public and give her this newfound …

Chris Stapleton sings, “I met God at rock bottom when I had nothing left. He didn’t give up on me. He turned my shame into a story and my pain into belief.” Yes, life is like a country …

One of the students who attends our Zoom Bible study asked, “Is it a sin to doubt?” I hesitated to answer her with a bold, “Yes.” I have sensed a deep yearning and thirst for God in all …

On April 3, Gary Woods went home to be with the Lord. He left an enormous hole in our hearts. This article is a tribute to our writing buddy. With his colorful language, one Monday morning, he …

By Betty Slade PREVIEW Columnist Our son, the captain of the ship, has taken over the helm. I have now become the navigator in dangerous waters for family issues. Funny how family members …