You have to love yourself. You have one life, do this for you. These are just a few of the phrases I have recently encountered while I exercise with online trainers. I understand their job - to motivate me and everyone else listening. While I can see how this would be quite motivating and keep me cycling/running, what if these were mantras for our lives?
Read MoreLast week I started a new job. As crazy as it might sound now given how the past few months have been, back in January I talked with my boss to let her know that I would be resigning in May because I wanted to switch careers. It was nerve-wracking to be voluntarily searching for a job during a period when so many other people were just focusing on trying to keep their current jobs.
Read MoreThis blog post is inspired by the Orange Curriculum that my 10th grade girls are undergoing at this time. Our most recent series is Finding Rhythm. It made me think about my daily, weekly, monthly, yearly rhythm with God. Besides going to church every Sunday, and midweek on Wednesdays how do I find my rhythm with God? If one is seeking rhythm with God, how does one start?
Read MoreDoubting Thomas was one of Jesus’ disciples. He is put in that box of "doubter" throughout history for one thing: doubting Jesus' resurrection. Yet, we can learn much from Thomas' life and ministry.
Read MoreWhat do you do when you feel unqualified to go after your dreams? If you are currently feeling this way, you are in good company. Throughout the Bible, we see God use people who feel unqualified.
Read MoreBooks are often most powerful when they introduce us to new people. Reading a life transcribed on a page allows us to hear their thoughts and to see what they saw in a more visceral way than a podcast or film asks of us. Some authors’ lives are very different from our own, while others bear striking similarities.
Read MoreWhen we say that we “know” someone, what does that mean? We usually describe that person using labels and identities. “She is a doctor, a mother, a runner.” But what happens when we change jobs, graduate college, or become injured and can no longer run?
Read MoreIt started with a hike and my prideful frustrations at the bottom of a mountain. I was miffed. Life was not going the way I wanted and, honestly, hadn’t been for a few months now, and I was going to take a solo hike to exercise my independence. It was the one thing I could control, the one thing I could orchestrate, and with that attitude in mind I started hiking.
Read MoreAre you in a rut with your Bible reading? I’ve been there, sweet friend. Because of that, I thought I'd write a little about what I've been reading in the Bible recently. This past weekend found me in the book of Amos, and I'd love to show you a little of what jumped out at me.
Read MoreHave you ever been working on a project and come to a place where you feel you just don’t have any more ideas? Where does inspiration come from and how can we capture it when we need it?
Read MoreWe’ve all played a game of “This or That” either as a child or at a bridal shower. The question of “Vanilla or Chocolate” is one that usually stumps me because when it comes to ice cream, it truly depends on whether it’s soft serve or not. Other questions are easier to answer like “Cats or Dogs” and despite my allergies I’d say dogs, without question! Now, if we were to ask the question of “Life or Death,” I would dare to say that the vast majority of people would choose life. That would be a no brainer.
Read MoreDo you believe it? Do you believe that there is a God who loves you, who is CALLING you?
Read MoreIn the midst of unspeakable tragedy, there begins the floodgates of memories—the beautifully painful memories of those we did not have enough time with, whose lives were cut short, but also memories to create anew. A friend’s recent Facebook post captured my attention about the cycle, brevity, and finality of life, and how quickly life can be altered. How beautifully it can be created, and how it can be violently taken away
Read MoreIt is said that a ship traveling even one degree off course can end up on a completely different continent. Traveling from San Francisco to L.A. one degree off will cause you to end up 6 miles off course, and from San Francisco to Washington D.C. would have you end up in Boston. One degree seems so trivial, but stay the course long enough, and you end up on a path to a completely different destination than you may have originally hoped.
Read MoreA new buzzword in the church world (at least in America, which is all I can personally speak to), is “multiethnic.” A growing number of Christians want to be part of a multiethnic church, a place with “diverse” worship, a body of believers that resembles the beautiful picture John paints for us in his Revelation 7 vision.
Read MoreI’ve always wanted to be the kind of woman who starts her day off by reading the Bible, praying, and drinking coffee. When I see photos on Instagram of girls posting highlighted Bible pages alongside a cozy coffee cup, I always wish that I had that kind of life.
Read MoreI waited outside the church to greet people after giving my presentation on hurricane relief programs. Several in the crowd came to shake my hand. Some asked questions. An older lady approached: taking my hand in hers, she said, “Keep doing the Lord’s work, sweetheart.” She smiled, patted my arm and kept walking toward the parking lot.
Read MorePromises can be made in haste or wisely with understanding. Today, I want to take a look at how words can affect our lives. I am an outspoken gal, who was always told I talk too much. Lately, God has been placing seeds in my heart about wise speech.
Read MoreThe word theology sounds pretty daunting to understand. It’s a word we try to avoid and steer off into another topic which we may feel a little bit more comfortable with. When we think about the word ‘theology’ we tend to think about Biblical academics, Christian history, and a lot of other subjects that we may think that is too difficult or irrelevant to jump into.
Read MoreLet’s be real--most of us don’t like criticism. As a struggling perfectionist, I personally hate it when someone tells me I’m doing something wrong. I have a tendency to focus on the negative, even if 90% of the feedback was positive. Because no matter how true the words may be, criticism often leaves me feeling like a failure. But I’ve learned from experience that without a healthy dose of criticism, we can’t grow.
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