Blog
My “Yes” Is On The Table
Last summer my family experienced The Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Standing in front of a life-size replica of Noah’s ark was quite impressive, greatly enhancing my understanding of what a high calling and colossal task God had instructed Noah to accomplish. But more than that, God showed me the immensity of my smallness in contrast to the incomparable greatness of the mission He calls us to.
Living Free In A Captive World
COVID. Quarantine. Masks. Virus. Numbers. Social Distance. Racial injustice. Police brutality. Political agenda. Riots. Hearings. Mandates. Rights. Opinions. Freedoms. Things.of.this.world.
Thoughts From Home
It’s been several months since the words “go home” first caused me to shutter and sparked the fire in my soul to ignite once again. In case you may not know, “go home” was spoken as the knee-jerk reaction from a highly influential pastor regarding another well-known author and teacher, one who also happens to be a woman.[1] I have many thoughts and personal opinions on said situation that until now, I have not ventured to share publicly. But after recently reading an article revealing what should be unspeakable, I can no longer hold my peace. The article described conversations among male denominational and church leaders. The derogatory, crude, and entirely inappropriate comments about their sisters in Chris
Jesus - I Am The Vine
So far in this blog series, we’ve seen Jesus to be the Light of the World, illuminating our path and offering the light of life; the Bread of Life, nourishing us and eternally satisfying the hunger of our souls; and the Door, the only means by which we find true, abundant life.
Jesus - I Am The Door
What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture”? Jesus is actually using language the New Testament people would understand. Jesus often used illustrations in His teaching, and this time He identifies Himself as “the door.” The door to what? The door to the sheepfold, the way to enter the flock. We, the people, are likened to the sheep. And like these woolly creatures, we tend to be needy, fearful, and not very intelligent. We are stubborn, susceptible to disease, and easily downcast. We are in need of a shepherd.
To The One Who Will Wear The Tie
On our daughter’s 18th birthday, my husband and I gave her a tie. Yes, that’s right – a tie. Navy blue with pink and white stripes, the colors she’s chosen for her dream wedding. Even more than she dreams about the perfect wedding, we dream together about the man who will be God’s perfect match for her, the man who is beyond excited to spend the rest of his life loving her, the man who will be waiting for her at the front of the church wearing that tie. The gift was given as a visual reminder to her to keep praying for that man, to pray that God will raise him up and grow him and prepare him to lead and love her well.
Wild Ride
As I step into the beginning of another year of life, I reflect on all God has done thus far. And I wonder what He will call me to in the future, especially in these next 366 days (it’s a leap year!). There have been many days over the years that I’ve spent seeking God’s will and questioning whether or not I am answering His call and fulfilling His purpose for me on this earth. I only get one chance, so I wanna be sure I get this right! But somewhere along the way, I have learned that God’s grand purpose for me is to glorify Him, and He will graciously give me innumerable opportunities in this lifetime to do exactly that!
She Said Yes
It was the middle of a seemingly ordinary day. I went about my work, daydreaming about marrying Joseph and the life we would have together. When I looked up, I saw an angel before me. I took a step back. “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you!” he said to me. I looked around, startled and confused, wondering what this was all about.
He’s Only Just Begun
As I sit in the quiet of this bright Sunday morning, my mind reflects and my heart ponders the pure goodness and power of God. While I would love to be worshipping with my church family this morning, I don’t think I’m quite ready yet. So I sit in the presence of God in the comfort of my recliner. Covered by my new favorite blanket (thanks, Michelle!), and a kidney-shaped pillow laid across my middle, I read about the God of All in The Valley of Vision.
A Tat, A Rap, And A Kidney
In January I got a tattoo, something I never thought I’d do. Not that I have anything against them; it just didn’t seem like me. But a couple months before, I had taught a Bible study lesson from 1 John 3. The first verse resonated so deeply with me that I created my own paraphrase based on my study of the original words and phrases.
Quietly Waiting
“I wait quietly before the Lord, for my victory comes from him.” We spend a lot of time waiting, don’t we? Nearly every day we wait in line, wait in traffic, wait for our turn at something. There are times when the wait is longer, the wait is harder, the wait is even necessary. And in a world that constantly pushes instant gratification and demands immediate results, the art of waiting quietly is all but lost. Ironically, the word “quietly” is the word that spoke loudest to me when I read Psalm 62:1 a few days ago.
Finding Joy
This is joy! I don’t mean me, Joy; I mean JOY – the deep-seated state of being that comes from truly knowing who you are and choosing to walk freely in it. This is joy that comes from breaking free from the past, breaking free from what others might say or think, breaking free from fear of failure or foolishness. I’ve said before that to feel deeply is to be fully alive – and that includes the greatest joys as well as the deepest pains. While there is a time to mourn and weep, there is also a time to dance and laugh. It says so right there in the Bible. It’s all part of this abundant life.
Fresh Waves
Those of you following my grief journey may know that a few weeks ago I closed on my dad’s house. This was a last big thing included in my realm of responsibilities as executor of his estate. To say it was bittersweet would be an understatement. While it was another powerful reminder of the reality I face, it was also freeing in a strange sort of way, like the closing of a chapter. And I felt like I now had permission (whose, I’m not sure) to begin moving forward.
Bust Outta The Box
I grew up with the message, “You can do anything you set your mind to…(as long as it fits into this box).” Of course that last part wasn’t spoken out loud, but was very much the expectation. I’m learning that I’m not alone. I’ve discovered that many women through the years have struggled and continue to struggle with knowing how to honor God in the church and in the world today (take some time to watch the above link). For many years, I made myself fit into that box, not realizing just how bruised I’d become. It actually wasn’t until recently that I began to really recognize my continuing internal struggle.
The Journey Continues…
“Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee…” I had barely gotten through the first line of that song when the tears started to come. Quickly recognizing the song as one we sang at my dad’s funeral, one of my boys whispered, “Did you bring any tissues?” They know me too well. I almost always get emotional during Sunday morning worship. But today the tears flowed fast, hard, and without restraint.
Beloved
I did something today I never thought I would do: I got a tattoo! This might be quite a shock to some who know me. I’m actually a little surprised by it myself. But here’s the thing: I finally know who I am in a way that has impacted the deepest parts of my soul. And I don’t ever want to forget.
Very Hard Beautiful
This is a week I have been anticipating and dreading at the same time. Holidays- holy days set aside for celebration and remembrance of so many things. A special evening for our family to gather, probably for the last time, around Dad’s table, knowing his chair at the head would be empty. A needed time to come together, reminisce, celebrate, laugh, and cry in remembrance and honor. Other family traditions continue as normal. Church and food and gifts and the noise and joys of Christmas. All the while my insides scream that it’s not normal. Everything very different this year.
The Empty Chair In A Full Life
Last weekend we celebrated my nephew’s 4th birthday. We drove to Michigan, the kids excited to see their cousins again. Vibrant colors and a fire truck theme decorated the kitchen. Family and friends filled the house. The place was buzzing with the sound of conversations, the popping of popcorn in the microwave, kids chasing each other, and a football game on TV. After singing Happy Birthday, blowing out candles and eating cake, it was present time. Conversations and football continued as we sat around and watched this excited little boy tear the wrapping off the gifts with giggles of delight at the discovery of new toys.
Satisfied And Sheltered By The Most High
As soon as I read the title of the funeral message, I knew it was perfect: Satisfied and Sheltered by the Most High. In the midst of all that was happening in the earthly realm, I imagined what was simultaneously happening in the spiritual realm at the moment of death. I envision Jesus waiting at heaven’s gate, knowing exactly when Dad would arrive. In an instant, I see God the Father taking Dad into His arms in full embrace, holding him tightly to His chest. I hear Him whisper, “Welcome home, son.” I see Jesus bearing his full weight, just as He did on the cross, when Dad collapses in relief and rest, fully alive, satisfied and sheltered by the Most High God.
Not A Ninja
With summer quickly coming to an end, our family recently spent an afternoon at a family fun park. I was expecting to see go-karts and bumper boats and arcade games, but I was surprised to also see a ninja warrior course. Granted, it looked rather simple compared to what I’ve watched on TV. But still, there it was, right before my eyes. I was strangely intrigued by it. I watched. I studied. I started to think maybe I could do it. This was strange because I’m not exactly in the greatest shape of my life, I don’t consider myself a risk-taker, and I am certainly not one who thrives as the center of attention.