What Are You Building?

I heard a quote recently from Krista Bontrager that caught my attention: “Christianity will survive without America, but America won’t survive without Christianity. I think she’s one thousand percent correct. Last week I had the privilege of teaching in our Tuesday morning Bible study at church. We are going through the Psalms of Ascent, historically…

Always Something

I pause at the threshold, the open doors of the thatch-roofed cabana giving way to an enthralling expanse of turquoise water and brilliant blue sky. My sheer cotton cover-up ruffles pleasantly as a sweet, paradise-scented breeze passes by. After two solid minutes of just breathing it in, I make my way, barefoot, across pale sand…

And Just Like That…

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…

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…

This Is Us

Jackie Hill Perry once said, “If you’re not having fun when you sin, you’re doing it wrong.” She isn’t lying. If sin wasn’t appealing, we wouldn’t fall for it so often! We are presented with thousands of choices every single day, and sometimes the pull to give in to what’s easy or gratifying in the…

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…

Wisdom

The further we go from the Lord, the dumber we get. Hear me out. Our society places enormous value on higher education. The more degrees you have (ostensibly, unless you major in underwater basket weaving or social work), the greater your income will be. The higher the income; the better your quality of life. It’s…

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…

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…

Sinfluencers

We’ve got a huge problem in the church. And, no, it’s not the sodium content at the potlucks. It’s an astonishing lack of discernment. And I’m afraid it will lead to a great many walking away from God altogether. I see it in the “likes” and reposts on social media. Some of the smartest, kindest,…