Earlier this year, I went to a writer’s conference where I was asked to examine “what I do” to identify themes across all of my jobs. As I examined my roles as counselor, educator, and international member care coordinator I realized the common tread is hope — I am a hope dealer. I joke to my friends when people ask what I do for a…
This morning I am pondering the day after the crucifixion. Matthew 27 tells us Pilate was afraid Jesus’ disciples might steal his body and tell the people Jesus rose from the dead. I wonder what the disciples were thinking. Were they hoping for a resurrected Jesus? Did they feel defeated and dejected? It must have been the longest 24 hours of their lives. How do…
Even though I grew up in church, I never really hurt much about Lent. This was something others did, not me. As I have matured in my faith, I have come to see the benefits of Lent to my own spiritual journey. Lent serves as a reminder of the 40 days Jesus withdrew to the wilderness; Jesus was tempted while in the wilderness. As Christians,…
20 years. How can it be? Twenty years ago was the worst day of my life. I sometimes hear the screams as if they were yesterday. My screams. My husband of nine years was gone. Tragically and suddenly, he left us. My world was spinning out of control. I remember asking God if there would ever be a day when I wouldn’t cry. Why would…
Having just finished reading John Mark Comer’s Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, I was deep in thought, pondering the need to slow down. Suddenly, I heard the microwave beeping and in my rush to turn it off, I stubbed my toe. Think about it. As I thought about slowing down, I rushed and hurt myself, causing me to stop and slow. God has a funny way…
For years I viewed the Sabbath as restrictive; I thought of it as a day to limit my fun. Even as a child, my parents joked that “Go” was my middle name. Resting does not come naturally for me. In fact, I tend to fight it. Last year, God really began to convict me about the lack of rest in my life. He reminded me,…