Having babies didn't come easily for us. Before each of our two successful pregnancies, we endured months of waiting and praying, regular heartache, and celebrations of the births of many babies to family and friends. Our boys arrived almost six and eleven years into our marriage, definitely not on our timeline. In both cases, we … Continue reading Advent 1 – Preparing for the Child
Category: Bible Study
Find Center
If you've been around here for a while, you'll know that I've been a Jesus-lover since forever. I have spent most of my professional life working in churches, and I am also married to a pastor. And I (mostly) love the church in all its beauty and brokenness. All of this can lead to a … Continue reading Find Center
Speak Grace
With Thanksgiving only days away, I am thinking about gratitude, grace, and the state of my heart. Many of us were taught to ‘say grace’ at the dinner table. Something like: Thank you, God, for the world so sweet Thank you, God, for the food we eat Thank you, God, for the birds that sing … Continue reading Speak Grace
The Struggle is Real
This summer our church has been doing a deep dive into the wisdom of Proverbs. Earlier this week some of us gathered to study this passage from Proverbs 30: 7 “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, … Continue reading The Struggle is Real
Receive Correction
When I reflect on my lifetime in God’s house, I have to acknowledge God’s grace that I’m still here. Especially in my own tween/teen years, well-intended church-going do-gooders decided it was their Christian duty to beat me over the head with (often misinterpreted) Scripture. Though they aimed to “speak truth in love” (another Scripture taken … Continue reading Receive Correction
Pursue Wisdom
I just came from a Boy Scout Eagle Court of Honor in which ten boys received Scouting's highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout. Teen became an Eagle last year, so I recognize how much hard work each has invested to bring them to this day. As a mom, I understand what this day signifies … Continue reading Pursue Wisdom
Christ Has Risen
He has risen indeed! The other day we drove past a local church with a banner that read: Easter is for Everyone! (No religious experience necessary) We chuckled, paused, reflected... It's accurate, but does it feel like an odd thing to say? I'm still thinking about it, so at least that makes it effective advertising... … Continue reading Christ Has Risen
ReBuild: Mexico 2017
One of the best things our church does fills one week with life-changing experience and takes the rest of the year to plan, then debrief, before planning the next trip: our spring break house building trip to Mexico with Amor Ministries. This year, as in most years, about 250 high school students and adults built hope, … Continue reading ReBuild: Mexico 2017
Known
Talking with friends last week I mentioned that I've taken just about every personality test out there, including the silly ones on Facebook. "Ooh, which Disney princess are you? [beat as Friend examines my face] Never mind, you're Belle. Definitely Belle." Spot on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu4Pzsolyhg I have seen Beauty and the Beast twice this month, three … Continue reading Known
Found!
If you attended our church this morning, you heard Guy preach this story. If you know me well, you may have heard me tell this story. Having studied Luke 15 earlier this week, this story has lingered on my heart. It has become a touchstone of faith for our family, a reminder of God's love and … Continue reading Found!