Category Archives: OC Register Column

With the alarming spike of heroin-related deaths among Orange County teens, Mike Darnold – a retired Fullerton police officer – is advising parents to give their children faith in something because faith “gives kids a sense of security knowing there is some … Continue reading →

Growing up, I was not allowed to say the pledge of allegiance. As deeply devout Christians, the idea was that our allegiance belonged to God alone — not to a flag, not to a country. Indeed, we often referred to … Continue reading →

I like giving dating advice to my daughters. Of course, they won’t be dating until they’re 35, but it’s important to give them a head start. I already have a lot of work to do — or shall I say, undo? … Continue reading →

At the end of each school year there are projects, presentations and class parties. There is also sex education — a course that, in my daughter’s 6th grade science class, covers a range of topics from reproduction to sexually transmitted … Continue reading →

School gets out this week and I’m starting to panic. Without the daily structure of school, life with five children easily skitters off track. I need some tangible order upon which to hang the hours of each day. But per my … Continue reading →

I have a new breast lump. This one is harder and in a different section of my breast. My family history with breast cancer can’t be taken lightly and so, once again, my doctor ordered a breast ultrasound. Except this time, … Continue reading →

I sometimes worry that my kids expect church to be fun — like a McDonald’s Playland with a few glitter-glue Bible verses thrown in. They have this expectation that church will be interesting and relevant: a hip, talented rock/worship band, … Continue reading →

I don’t trust pastors. I want to trust them — but I’ve experienced so much church-related devastation that I seriously doubt whether I can ever again believe the best about their motives, preaching or how they conduct their lives. My trust … Continue reading →