Our church is closing. The news came seemingly out of nowhere. I love our church. We’ve grown close with the other families. I looked forward to seeing our elementary and preschool kids grow into teens and adulthood together. It intrigued me to wonder what they would be like as they matured and found their niche…
Tag: encouragement
Be Encouraged
This is for the Christian who sees the world running gleefully-blindly-as fast as they can into the outstretched arms of the enemy of their souls. It’s for the Christian who is not taken in by the snake-charmers’ song: the deceptive, twisted, soothing tune sung over a generation of somnambulists: so seduced by a dream world…
Now Trending…
I’ve noticed a trend in television. Every time they have a Christian character on a show, it’s never just a nice, normal family. No! All Christians, according to NBC, at least, are tent revival pastors who marry child brides or, better yet, doomsday preppers who get trapped in their poorly-ventilated bomb shelters. More and more…
The Beloved Charter
I have become a bit jaded in regards to Christian conferences. They just seem a bit…fluffy. All this “you are enough” -self-help-me-ology stuff disguised as Bible teaching. Ennea-what? Thanks, but no thanks. This past weekend, Ben and I went to a Christian conference anyway, mainly because our pastor’s friend and mentor Larry was the one…
Enough, Already!
Most days I don’t feel like I’m enough, in God’s economy. I look at other Christians and feel like I fall woefully short. I haven’t adopted a bunch of kids. I often let my fear stand in the way of getting out there and sharing the gospel or doing ministry. I still think Ricky Gervais…
Evil Doesn’t Win
Evil doesn’t win. Maybe you’re as discouraged as I am right now: wondering how to get off this train to crazy town; a place in which farms are bad and fake food is good; where we advocate for murderers instead of their victims; where truth is considered outdated and delusions are celebrated; where God-given freedoms…
No Idea Whatsoever.
I have no idea why God picked me. I’ve never felt like anyone’s first choice; ever since I was little. And a lot of people have reinforced that feeling over the years. And, worse, I’ve agreed with them! Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where George Kostanza said he didn’t want to be a part…
Heart to Heart
I tend to poke the bear when I write. I know I do. I’ve been muted and unfollowed and unfriended by countless acquaintances and also, sadly, by people I love. And I’ve asked myself what I’m doing wrong. And then when I think carefully through what I write, and why I write, I find nothing…
Making a Joyful Noise
Last night I dreamed a parade of solemn, angry protesters was marching through my neighborhood. As they came around the bend and got closer, I could read the signs they held in tight, unmovable fists. They were Christians. And they were, quite literally, mad at the world. I remember thinking to myself as they trudged…
Christians and Sin
All sin separates us from God. This means a few things (well, a few that I want to touch on. You don’t have all day. I count myself lucky you’ve read this far). First, it means that no one person has better standing than another in front of God. If we are without Christ, we…
Living Well 