In college, me and three friends lived in a little, old, two-story home. We lovingly named it “The Turtle”, because the top half was green, and the bottom half was white. Obviously, just like a turtle. So, one summer day in this Turtle house, we found a giant bumblebee buzzing around. And like any college-age …
Winning Approval of God or Man
“Think with me for a moment about the theology that resulted in the building of medieval monasteries. The thinking was that there’s an evil world out there, and the way to escape that evil is to create a community that lives inside a big wall that separates you from that evil of the surrounding world… …
Stay In Your Lane
When Peter saw (John), he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” - John 21:21-22 ----- “Please go unload the dishwasher,” I instruct my sweet son.“But MOM! Why doesn’t she have …
Stay Close to Jesus
For years, my favorite claim to fame (.. my only claim to fame) was meeting an Olympic athlete at a summer VBS program. The whole theme was Olympics; red, white and blue everything. Which was perfect, because one day I was going to compete in the worldwide Olympics myself. As a gymnast. Despite the fact …
Remembering the Gospel in the Waiting
The sun had just gone down, but the humidity had certainly gone up. I walked laps around my neighborhood talking to a friend, listening to her share an update on her life and circumstances. The regression, the loss of hope, the hurt, the fears. I wanted to fix it all, but had no power over …
The Father’s Love
There is a “baby bouncer” that all three of my kids have loved as infants. It’s a reclined seat with a thin metal frame, giving the babes an ability to flex (hence, bounce) a little. Or a lot, if one has an older brother that likes to lean baby back as far as she can …
thank you for coming to church.
Dear family of six,Thank you for coming to church last week. I didn’t see you come in, but I saw you after the service. I was in the middle of a conversation, but I caught a glimpse of your older, teenage son as he played with his infant sister in her stroller. I saw the …
My Kids Are Driving Me Nuts
I had had enough. I was a children’s ministry leader, teaching K-5, and herding cattle when I was assigned to be leading worship. It felt so chaotic, week after week, watching these sweet darlings run laps, crawl on the floor, pester siblings and try to escape when they should be singing, dancing, and worshiping the …
It’s Pride Month
For the Church: Poking around on social media one day, I came across a video of someone I knew speaking about all sorts of things I disagreed with. My initial reaction was something of shock, I can’t believe they believe this! Judgment, I can’t believe they are saying this. Offense, they’re attacking me. And dismissal, …
I Don’t Feel Saved
Growing up in church, I used to be the kid who raised her hand and prayed the salvation prayer every opportunity presented. Maybe I was afraid God had forgotten since the previous week. Maybe I wasn’t convinced the first few prayers had “worked”. Maybe I was so scared of Hell that I would raise my …
Soaking in the Son 