We are called to be in this world for a time, and while we are, our responsibility is to love and honor our fellow humans, showing off the love of Jesus through the way we live. This is why I implore my sisters in faith, to vote this November with a heart surrendered to Christ alone.
Read MoreRecently, I struggled to hear God’s voice in the midst of the chaos that is going on around me. I needed to grow in my relationship with God, but I felt stagnant in my efforts. Every time I tried to pray or read the Bible, God felt so distant. I felt like a bad Christian. It seemed like I was talking to an old friend, who couldn’t relate to me, and there was a barrier between us so I couldn’t clearly hear His voice. With tears in my eyes, I slowly admitted this to one of my friends… I struggled to hear God’s voice. I felt like the Lord was far from me. I read my Bible and prayed. But I still felt overwhelmed and defeated.
Read MoreMany people love to compare Bible characters. Themes in churches and society tell us we can be just like these characters. They specify us to be just like a woman character in the Bible - or for men - a male Biblical character. However, we are called to be who God created us.
Read MoreI threw my dusty suitcase in the pickup truck bed, and jumped into the back seat. I was in Idaho. A sweet couple serving as YWAM base missionaries had picked me up. We struck up a conversation about life and disappointments.
Read MoreI love the recounting of Jesus calming the storm in the gospel of Luke. I read it again yesterday, as I read in my chronological Bible and caught up from the days I'd fallen behind. I thought I'd write it out for you.
Read MoreA couple of years after finishing college, I decided to move to France to teach as an English assistant in elementary school. While I spoke French passably, it was definitely a transition to suddenly having to communicate with everyone in the language after not practicing since my last college class. It took me a month to feel comfortable enough to brave attempting to go to a church in France.
Read MoreI’ve always been a solo hiker. That’s what originally drew me to hiking...the opportunity to be alone with my own thoughts and feelings and fears. To face new challenges and push my limits. Setting myself up for success in the face of any and every possibility. My pack was perfect: Headlamp, snacks, water, extra layers, socks, rain layer, band-aids, knife, lighter..
Read MoreWait. We don’t like that word very much, do we? I know I don’t sometimes and I think that as a whole, we are people who are in a hurry more often than not. What are some things that we don’t like waiting for? How about a paycheck? Food? Perfect timing, or as close to perfect as we can reach? Possessions—cars or beautiful homes? A husband? Kids?
Read MoreWe can learn quite a bit from the first miracle Jesus performed. Although it may not be his most recognized miracle - such as giving the blind their sight, allowing the deaf to hear, or raising the dead - it was still impactful, and even today, we can learn from it.
One year ago, we were spending our Labor Day weekend in a children's hospital. What started as a routine wellness visit with the pediatrician, turned into our tiny baby boy being admitted to the hospital for "Failure to Thrive". He was three months old at the time and, despite our efforts, his weight had begun to fall away from the growth curve. The pediatrician felt it best to have his calorie intake monitored and see if a solution to his slow and fluctuating weight gain could be found.
Read MorePolitics have always been divisive, but it seems this year has reached a whole new level of the “us” vs. “them” mentality. In the middle of a very tense election season, it can be hard figuring out how to navigate politics, especially as a Christian.
Read MoreMy nephew, Charlie, is 17 months old, and it has been so much fun watching him grow. Listening to him learn new words has probably been my favorite part of this process. One of the first words, other than Mama and Daddy, that he said clearly was “book”. It was adorable! I remember being so amazed at how this small little human had expressed such a clear thought. With each new word that he says, it brings a smile to my face. It won’t be long before he expands his vocabulary further and even begins to string these solitary words into small sentences. Before we know it, he will be asking that question that parents with small children hear so often…”why?”
Read MoreThe Sabbath day of rest was a big deal in the Old Testament - in multiple places in the Scriptures, God instructs the Israelites on the importance of taking the seventh day of the week off from all work. It was a sacred commandment, a sign between God and His people, that they may know that He is the who sanctifies them. But, how is that relevant for us today?
Read MoreSometimes, people think I am a vocational missionary. It’s a simple mistake: after all, I’ve got the suitcases, passport, cargo pants and Chacos to look it. There are some stark differences between Christian international relief work and mission work, but I often receive comments like, “May God bless your mission” and “What you’re doing is kingdom-work.” Sometimes these words, kindly meant, lead me to wonder: are we, in the Church, shirking our own responsibility to make disciples?
Read MoreOver and over again in the scriptures we are instructed to pray. We are instructed to pray unceasingly and relentlessly. We pray, not because it makes God more inclined to help us, but because prayer makes us more attuned to Him. Often the results of prayer are not altered circumstances, but shifted hearts and attitudes. And this is especially true for our jobs.
Read MoreI’m always up for a challenge at the gym, but my trainer introduced me to a new exercise recently that brought me to my knees…literally.
Read MoreJoy, contentment, happiness, gladness. All similar words and arguably interchangeable. But what do these words mean to you - really?
Read MoreI’m in the midst of a battle. My Abba Father pours truth over me through the Holy Spirit, while the enemy uses the hurtful arrows of another against me. The target? My identity. So I dig deep, and I write this truth to you because I know that I’m not the only woman on this battlefield.
Read MoreHave you been wounded by another person who confesses to being a believer in Jesus Christ? Is that person in a position of leadership in a local church? Do you have “sanctuary scars” that resulted in you feeling anywhere from burned out to soul-scarred and physically ill at the thought of walking through your church doors again? First of all, I’m sorry you’re in such pain as you begin reading this. While I can’t remove the pain, both yours or mine. I hope to point us to the One who heals, cleanses, and restores.
Read MoreWorking from home is a double-edged sword. While it comes with amazing perks and benefits, it can also be isolating and discouraging. How can we thrive and grow in a situation that is often not so ideal? Here’s what I have learned about how to have a thriving remote work life:
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