Years ago, I sat in a small circle of believers as we shared our life experiences about studying the Bible. We all fidgeted a bit because it seemed we were collectively on the brink of disclosing something very secret and incriminating. One sweet woman in her 70’s confessed to the group, “I’ve been in church…
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{every time I talk about TGCW16, I cry}
Confession: in nearly 13 years of ministry there’s only been one women’s conference I’ve attended that didn’t involve me speaking or leading worship. And that one time was over 10 years ago. So, when my dear friend Beth nominated me for The Gospel Coalition’s Send-a-Friend contest in March, I began to seriously consider going whether…
Do I need the Bible every day?
Do you need the Bible everyday? My short answer is YES. But maybe not why or in the way you might think. When I was in college, I worked part-time as a dental assistant. I met all kinds of people, and when you’re sitting in a room with a person while their mouth is getting…
{New Series: Knowing God in His Own Words}
It’s 5:52 a.m. when I finally drag myself out of bed. Without turning on any lights I shuffle to the kitchen and push the brew button on the coffee pot, then curl up on the couch under a quilt while the scent of coffee permeates the air. I doze for a minute or two while…
{I’m trying to look up}
“For every look at self, take ten looks to Christ.” ~Robert Murray M’Cheyne “So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory.” Psalm 63:2 “When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God’s sanctuary.” Psalm 73:16-17a Yesterday I sat at my desk and wrote…
{what I learned in May}
May wrapped up in a hurry over here, and I found myself wrestling two kids and a full grocery cart this morning on a very hot first day of June. The upcoming month is a busy one for my family as it’s birthday month for 3/4 of us, and our calendar is already full of…
{giveaway + gift for entering}
Last Thursday, I talked to you about all the books I’ve been reading lately. While looking through my stacks, I realized I have two copies of Madeleine L’Engle’s Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art. I’d love to gift my extra copy (brand new, hard back) to one of my readers! To enter the…
{what if hospitality isn’t your gift?}
Every Christmas during my childhood, my mom threw a gigantic party for her friends. She wrote out long lists of chores for my sister and me, although mostly I did them by myself because my sister had a gift for disappearing when it came time to do any housework. (Not that I’m bitter.) We cleaned…
{the one where I talk about all the books}
Whenever someone outs themselves to me as a non-reader, I frantically try to find some equilibrium between panic and restraint because what I want to do is make twenty seven book recommendations in crazed, frenetic succession. As a small child, I read for fun. For. Fun. (Nerd alert.) My husband could be found dribbling a…
{on love and loss and going home}
Knotted up in my regrets and my losses are the gifts of love and life that I only have because of the regrets and the losses.