My son recently turned two, and the majority of my days surrounding his birthday were filled with errands and endless tasks prepping for the celebration and a weekend away from home. The whole week felt chaotic, and the morning before our trip, I thought for sure I would lose it, scrambling to somehow get everything …
Christ and competitors for our affections
It was a Saturday morning. I sat poking through my Bible, aimlessly reading some Scripture, hoping to accomplish some Jesus time so I could next scroll through Pinterest. And then I read the first couple verses of John. “In him was life” (John 1:4). I paused and sighed. Of course it is - life is …
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Worship – The Best Advice
“You’re gonna have to worship your way through.” It really wasn’t even part of the sermon. Pastor Joby Martin was just recounting a conversation with a staff member walking through a hard time, and that was his advice. The Lord God, Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim. He is the same today, yesterday and forever. And he is …
The God who is with us. Always.
When everything fades to black... A failed marriage. Another miscarriage. Hurricane devastation. Medical diagnosis. It’s everywhere. Maybe it’s a single moment where the bottom drops out, or maybe it’s a slow fade, but none of us are exempt from these deep dark valleys. I can write all day about the goodness of God or his …
Did I Just Mess Up My Life?
“God knew you would struggle with this,” she told me. I was in well over my head and had felt completely at a loss. What if I messed this whole thing up? I think a lot of us fear ruining pieces of our lives - maybe we can’t get the clarity we want on God’s …
Evil for Good
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them …
A special request
What do you want? What are you after? In the Gospels, there is a story of a mom and two sons who want something. While it isn’t particularly clear whose initial idea it is, ultimately, the trio make their way to Jesus. The mother… came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a …
What is good about this Friday?
Friday, April 3rd, 2015As I sat down for my devotions this morning, I found myself less-than confident in knowing what Good Friday even was. Is today when Jesus rode in on the donkey? When he was risen? When he was crucified?? If it is when Jesus was crucified, then how is that good? What is …
Identity – A Personal Response
When I know all the “right things”, and have all the Bible verses on hand, and have listened to sermons, and have read books and still can’t seem to get it together… I’m finding that my overwhelm is generally rooted in an embarrassingly low view of God's love for me. I believe it for everyone …
Identity.
I once heard Tim Keller say that at the root of every sin is an identity issue. I haven’t found an exception. When I get upset and defensive toward my husband for not liking the less-than-average dinner I serve - it’s because I feel like a “bad wife”. When I become so worried about the …
Soaking in the Son 