What season are you in right now? Summer. The days of summer officially ended yesterday. The pools are closed, the children are back in school, the days of sleeping in and staying up late are over. Summer is a time for play. A time when the goodness of God is so apparent because it is so evident and it is ours. Summer is when life comes easily to you and me. I love summer and its carefree pace. … [Read more...] about Seasons
faith
Membership Has Its Privileges
My family and I were driving back from a very fun family gathering with the cousins in Illinois. The kids were in the back and Rob and I were enjoying the time we had to talk uninterrupted (yes, those physically demanding toddler years do pass!). We were almost out of Illinois and heading into Kentucky when a brown blur suddenly crossed in front of our rented minivan. Out of the corner of my eye I … [Read more...] about Membership Has Its Privileges
Offended by Him
I realized something profound this summer. I have done my best to push and shove and stomp down the hurt I have felt over some things God has allowed to happen to me. I have been offended by Him. And I would have denied it to the bitter end because of the terrifying collision my upbringing taught me to trust in Him had with my scabbed over heart. The Psalms and the prophet Jeremiah have just … [Read more...] about Offended by Him
The Rock I Cling To
I have been reminded this week of a very painful truth that I can conveniently push to the back of my mind most of the time: Life is a fragile vapor. One of my dear friends, Elaine, was hit by a drunk driver on Monday. She suffered internal injuries, the worst being a broken spine in two places. I did not find out until the day after the accident and cannot stop thinking about her and the new life … [Read more...] about The Rock I Cling To
Chosen
My spiritual life until age thirty was downright boring. I grew up with parents sold out to Christ and His kingdom, but I was merely a bystander watching them using their gifts, convinced that I truly had none of my own. And so each Sunday would roll around. I would dutifully sit in my pew, sing the songs as a member of the congregation, open my Bible during the sermon, and try to suppress the … [Read more...] about Chosen
When Expectations and Reality Collide in Ministry
Visions of the great adventure awaiting me danced through my head. I couldn’t wait to see what was on the other side of the airplane door. We had just landed at Njili airport in Zaire, Africa. I was ten years old. The “fasten seatbelt” sign went off and the adults around me got up from their seats. I stayed put until the signal from my parents that it was okay to move around the cabin. Carrying my … [Read more...] about When Expectations and Reality Collide in Ministry
