I'll never forget the first time Richard and I went to church together when we were dating. I was super nervous. It was silly really, but I was wondering how each of us would respond during the music. Will he raise his hands? Will I? What if I get super emotional because of … Read More
Keeping a Christ Centered Perspective
The beginning of a new school year feels much like New Year's to me. A build up of anticipation of the season ahead, excitement of a fresh start, the setting of new goals, and a bucket full of hope to do things better this year. If you are anything like me, you have spent a good bit of time over … Read More
Learning to let Jesus Love Me
I can't keep the tears from coming. I'm trying to focus on the church bulletin in my hands, my pen in the other, the chair in front of me, ANYTHING to keep my mind off the insecurity I feel. It's a room full of cheerful voices, smiling faces, and laughter as we wait for the service to start, but … Read More
Trading Happiness for Contentment (Our Family’s Lenten Journey)
It seems like it was an accumulation of slow compromises that got us here. I never wanted to wake up one day and say, "I've got spoiled kids." Yet I find myself right in the middle of a war of entitlement in my home. My eyes have slowly been opening to this reality for several … Read More
Jesse Tree at a Glance:: Christ is Born to Three Wise Men
My heart is bursting to celebrate Christmas Day with each one of you! We have made it to our last few days of the Jesse Tree and it has been a joy to journey together recounting the faithfulness of our God. I pray this week will be filled with all the savoring and reveling it can provide--this … Read More
Jesse Tree AT A GLANCE :: Jonah Hides to Mary and Joseph
We have rounded the half-way point of the Jesse Tree and every day are inching closer to the pinnacle of the story--the keeping of a promise--Jesus. Only twelve days until Christmas. Whether you have joined us this month from the beginning or just now are jumping into the Jesse … Read More
Jesse Tree AT A GLANCE :: Joseph and His Coat to Elijah and the Big Fire
It's been one week of the Jesse Tree now--how's everyone doing? Maybe this was a week where you had time to carve out each day and tell the story. OR maybe you were lucky to get in one or two stories. Maybe you couldn't do anything this week. It's OKAY FRIEND. Advent is not too far … Read More
The Jesse Tree AT A GLANCE:: The Root of Jesse to Jacob’s Ladder
It's here. We've been planning, preparing, praying, and talking about it for weeks. Now it's week One and Jesus says, "Come." Come hear my story. Come remember with me. Come worship. I am overjoyed that we are in this together. I love the thought of hundreds of families all over the … Read More
Trusting in His Double-Portion, Not my Ability
"I am feeling that urge to run on the hamster wheel again," I confessed to my friend last week. I ran through the long list of things that needed to be done, anxiety even rising in my heart as I was going through the list with her on the phone. One of the greatest temptations I fight on a … Read More
The Art of “Getting Along” When You’re SO Different
The above picture perfectly depicts my day to day. One child is always anticipating, moving forward to the next thing. The other is content to just enjoy the moment, not thinking about what is to come but only aware of what is right in front of him. And then there's me somewhere in the … Read More