Last weekend was spent celebrating major life moments.  Friday, August 12th, was my parent's 38th wedding anniversary.  What a beautiful example of a healthy, God-centered partnership.  I am more than fortunate to have the testimony of their marriage to bless me over my life and to guide me on the kind of marriage I want … Continue reading Anniversaries, Weddings and Birthdays

The house lights flicker, the orchestra tunes and the ushers entreat you to find your seats.  Intermission is over and the curtain is rising as we begin the next act in the life of Mel.  Thank you for your patience and understanding while I've been on intermission.  It was a little longer than I anticipated … Continue reading Intermission is Over

We all have our roles we play. Roles aren't bad. Sometimes they are very appropriate and truly reflective of who we are. Sometimes it is a role we cast ourselves in; sometimes the role was given to us by others.  Nevertheless, there seems to be an expectation that we all play our roles all of … Continue reading Role Playing

Yes . . . once again I've altered the look of my website.  Just trying out some new things . . . seeing what I like.  If you notice in my new banner (thanks to Kris for the design), I have my own domain name now - http://www.melissahatfield.com.  It will take a couple of days … Continue reading Ode to Kris Swanigan

This is a post to catch-up as well as to cleanse.  I haven’t been able to blog this week.  I honestly haven’t felt like blogging this week. I never want to blog because I feel like I have to or because people are expecting it.  My heart needs to be in it and this week … Continue reading 10 Things I Learned from Steve

"Preaching is an art of daring and only the man [or woman] who would rather not preach and cannot escape from it ought ever to attempt it." - Karl Barth Karl said it well. I cried myself to sleep many a night begging God not to call me to preach. Anything but that. But even … Continue reading Sermon Repercussions

Monday was a full day.  In meetings straight from 9 am - 1:30 pm.  Then a quick workout at the Y and back to the office until a 6 pm meeting.  Been working on my sermon here at the end of tonight for this Sunday since I really need to give a title tomorrow for … Continue reading Old Habits Die Hard

So, I overslept this morning and missed half of the first worship service.  Thankfully, I had no responsibilities this morning so that was good.  Let's hope next Sunday I don't have that problem since I'm preaching and most likely would be missed if I overslept.  As you can tell from yesterday's post, Saturday was a … Continue reading Day of Rest

Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words on the restless nights.  What great friends!  Things are a little better - thanks to Tylenol PM, some conversations and some extra work time.   I'm resorting temporarily to drugs for help.  I can just take so many sleepless nights until lack of rest makes me unable to function.  … Continue reading Thanks

What was going to be a good night's sleep has turned out differently and I must honestly say that I am pissed right now as I type this.  I was in bed by 10:45 pm and ready to have a needed 8-hours of sleep.  I was freshly showered and set to go.  That was nearly … Continue reading Restless Nights Return