Everybody loves a makeover story because we love to see the change from a broken down house or poorly coiffed individual into a home with curb appeal and a person glowing with confidence. What we don’t enjoy nearly as much is the process. Or maybe I’m just talking about how I feel and assuming others feel the same. I never […]
Belonging doesn’t occur when we are better, smarter, or prettier. It begins when we accept our areas of weakness as our strengths.
It can be so hard to see God’s love for us as we face loss and heartache. We wonder where he is, and we struggle to see how he could be working all things together for our good. It is important to understand the nature of God that is revealed in this passage- he is omniscient and omnibenevolent.
When I was struggling to believe God’s love was for me because I was lost and clouded by grief and failure, I read through the scriptures with fresh eyes, seeking words of hope. The words unfailing love and faithfulness caught me again and again. It was the truth I’d read a hundred times before but failed to see because I hadn’t needed it yet.
Today I saw the words, “Share the Power,” graffitied on a bridge, and suddenly the thing I have been struggling with and unable to express came to light. I want to share the power. I just don’t know how. I don’t have enough power and sway to make the changes that need to be made. Wait, no, back up. I don’t know […]
Easter is the climax of a story about mankind’s complicated relationship with nakedness and shame. A fateful fall Adam and Eve had open community and access to God in the Garden of Eden. They also had freedom of choice. When they chose to eat forbidden fruit they became ashamed of who they naturally were. They had been naked all along, and […]
This past fall, Jon and I had the privilege of hearing Larry Osborne share some insights with a small room of pastors from large churches. Jon and I do not pastor a large church. We launched almost a year ago, and we are excited every time we have anywhere close to 100 people on a Sunday. Yet, there we sat five feet […]
James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. Why are we here? What is the point? Does life have meaning and value? These questions intrinsically reflect doubt. They implicitly challenge the notions that there is a reason for life and that each one of us is significant. […]
I recently read a heart breaking post about a marriage that is ending. It got me thinking about why some marriages last and why some don’t. Specifically, how is it that Jon and I are still married after over 13 years? I decided it must be because I am so easy to be married to. 3 SUPER SIMPLE THINGS I WANT FROM […]
I am a white, middle class, christian, American woman. I have watched and listened the past couple of weeks as people have demanded to be seen and heard. I have remained quiet. I have not remained quiet because I do not believe black lives matter. I have not remained quiet because I believe our police force is corrupt and racist. […]