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How Can We Nurture Deeper Friendships?
There’s a meme making its rounds on Instagram that goes something like this:
“Do you know one of Jesus’ greatest miracles that no one ever talks about?
.
.
He had 12 close friends in his 30s.”
Whoever came up with that joke struck some solid truth: as we get older, nurturing authentic friendships becomes more difficult than we’d ever ...
Hey Mama
Hey Mama,
Bent over the kitchen counter,
Distractedly eating leftovers.
Yes you,
With the ragged PJs
The greasy hair and yesterday's eyeliner.
Here’s something you should know:
God sees you.
He sees you,
Even when no one else does;
He sees you,
When you feel overlooked.
Hey mama,
Dark circles under your eyes,
Sleepwalking and suppressing yawns.
Yes you,
Up all last night
Checking if she was still coughing,
Or if he was ...
How Do I Walk In the Good Works God Has Prepared???
When the alarm rings at 6:10 am (yes, 6:10 am, not 6 am, because those extra ten minutes of sleep seem sweetly satisfying), I roll out of bed. When I’ve got it together, I get on my knees and say a quick prayer. After that, it’s go-go-go time. My morning routine is rushed, as I’m ...
You Have Permission For This
There’s a distinct point of time when I snap.
I don’t mean that I snap my fingers to a happy chorus. Nope.
I mean I snap like a dry twig. You can almost hear the cartoon-like crraaack.
My patience runs out. My face contorts. My tone hovers somewhere between irritable and infuriated. My words range from snarky to ...
When Shame Keeps You In Hiding
As part of an online accountability group for a "healthy lifestyle," I’ve signed up for a few fairly awkward things. For one, I tell a group of about 20 people how much I weigh every day. Thankfully, others on the group “weigh in” too (literally speaking) so it’s not overly embarrassing.
Other things we do include ...
The Sound Of Stillness—A Silent Saturday Reflection
The Sound Of Stillness
Saturday interjects a pause;
Friday laments suffering
Anguish and death,
Sunday proclaims wonder
Joy and life,
Saturday stands still, but He still speaks—
Even in the silence.
Saturday holds space for grief;
It doesn’t hasten us to “move on.”’
It gives us permission
To mourn,
To doubt,
To weep—
Even as we wrestle.
Saturday reminds us of the truth;
The God of the Sabbath
Directs our hearts
To be ...
Jesus Didn’t Give His Life Because Of This—A Good Friday Reflection
“Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to the Cross I cling.”
These lyrics from one of my favorite hymns, “Rock of Ages” fill me with sorrow and wonder, grief and joy, amazement and awe—that God would become man and choose to lay down His life for me.
But I am also relieved. There’s nothing more I ...
God Didn’t Wait—And Neither Should We
The doorbell does its thing just as I’m sitting down for lunch.
My daughter proclaims she “needs” a snack just as I’m starting work.
Okay, let’s get real here, nature calls with urgency just as I’m about to write that profound life-changing sentence.
We’re all familiar with pauses and interruptions in our daily routines. We know what it ...
Two Words God Laid On My Heart
I sometimes find myself standing before God 's throne like I’m at a Chinese fast food stall at a mall's food court waiting to get served.
Let me explain.
I can approach Bible reading like I’m there to get Hakka noodles and sweet and sour chicken plopped on my plate and say a quick, “Thank You, God," ...
MEET SUSAN
