Sometimes, 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:
Read MoreI recently found myself fascinated with the Enneagram Type Personality Test. A lot of my favorite podcasters talk about it, my friends all talk about it, and I enjoy the Instagram posts and series. I thought it would be cool to do an article about it. I decided to look into the history of the enneagram. Where did it come from? How did it originate? Who developed it? How should Christians approach the enneagram? I walked out of writing this article more uncomfortable and unsettled than I began.
Read MoreI recently took engagement pictures with my fiancé, and the photoshoot was magical. It was this really special hour that I will treasure. Our photographer sent us some of the highlights, and I loved them — but, ugh, was that really me? Fifteen pounds heavier than I started this year, my jawline was soft, and my hips seemed ridiculously wide. I was struggling to enjoy these images because I couldn’t get past what I considered my physical failings.
Read MoreForgiveness is arguably one of the most challenging instructions that Jesus gave us to follow. Logically, we understand that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and that to be forgiven we need to be willing to forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15). It seems as if the issue is straightforward, and if we did what Jesus said, life would be peachy. Why then do so many of us, me included, find it hard to move beyond forgiveness?
Read MoreFor many of us, it appears we seem to be in an unending, tumultuous, and painful wilderness of trials, disappointments, and heartbreak. Deep down in the hearts of His people is the desperate need and yearning for refreshment and revival of soul and spirit. Scripture tells us this life-changing healing can only come from the presence of the Lord.
Read MoreI always wondered what was the point of having an income-earning job. Why did it matter to God that I earned an income? Was it godly to desire to earn an income? I didn’t really know, I didn’t think scripture talked about the purpose of our work.
Read MoreDoes prayer come easily to you? It is rarely seamless for me. My thoughts wander, I become distracted by something I forgot to do, or I end up staring at the spots on my ceiling wondering how they got there. Or, I just forget.
Read MoreWhen someone lives through a life-changing event or trauma, like I did when I lost my sight, people often wonder how they are able to keep moving and carry on with life.
Read MoreThe start of a new season usually means updating our wardrobes, decorating our homes, and buying the perfect candle from Target. But living seasonally is more than just getting a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.
Read MoreI love theology. Honestly, I really love theologically sound Christians who care about what the bible actually says and not what they want it to say. I find it difficult to find media that I can follow and ingest that aligns with truth. Especially podcasts, the majority of Christian podcasts seem to focus on self-obsession, hustle culture, self-promotion, and twisting scripture to fit personal agendas. I always feel nervous turning on a “Christian” podcast because I’m not sure what “truth” they are choosing to preach.
Read MoreThis morning I discovered that a certain work benefit was being taken away and replaced with something inferior. That old familiar pang of indignation helplessness mixed with anger reared its ugly head. Never mind the objective reason that it is a for-profit company reallocating money from one thing to another, I felt indignant, affronted, entitled to the previous level of benefits I enjoyed before.
Read MoreIf you grew up going to church as a kid during the 90s, it’s likely you acquired at least one bracelet with WWJD printed on it. They popped up suddenly and it seemed like everyone had one. Maybe you wore one to remind you to ask yourself “What Would Jesus Do?” during any situation you might find yourself in.
Read MoreWe have a sandbox at school. My students like to make sand pies, dig to the bottom of the box, make tracks, build sandcastles. Everyday is a completely new adventure when it comes to the sandbox. The other day, I sat down by a tiny human (about three years old) who decided to build a sandcastle. He chose the perfect pail and perfect shovel. Then he sat down to begin his work. He meticulously shoveled sand into the pail until it was full. After a few tugs on the pail, he managed to turn it over into the sandbox to dump the sand out. As he pulled the pail up, I watched the sand topple down in a messy heap. I took a breath, prepared to reassure him that we could try again together. But he looked at me with the proudest smile you’ve ever seen, and giggled.
Read MoreI’ve been reflecting on security a lot. My cat finds security in cozy spots - the space between the toilet and the sink, under the covers of my bed, a box of clothes to donate sitting on my closet floor, or even the back of a kitchen cabinet if I accidentally leave it open. When he’s scared or nervous, he’ll crawl into those places because they make him feel safe.
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