Grace is Messy
I used to wonder what caused Judas to sell-out; but in the days immediately following my own suicide attempt, I could imagine exactly how it happened. Judas allowed his struggles to separate him from the goodness of Jesus Read more
I used to wonder what caused Judas to sell-out; but in the days immediately following my own suicide attempt, I could imagine exactly how it happened. Judas allowed his struggles to separate him from the goodness of Jesus Read more
I’ve not felt very spiritual lately. I’ve just felt busy. The Easter season is supposed to be the culmination of the crux of the Gospel. The gloriously gory images of Passion Week fill our minds and churches every spring. But for me it’s been a lot of work, preparing for my little girl’s birthday, leading a new small group at our church, and keeping this house in order. It’s been much more about the culmination of a sometimes cluttered life than about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Read more
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing... Read more
I don't know where Joseph was, but where do I find myself? Hiding outside the walls? Weeping at the Cross? Running away from Golgotha? Running towards Jesus? It's Good Friday. The day the world stopped turning. Read more
Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free For God the just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me. Read more
Together, we are living in the gaps. With the tension of unfulfilled dreams. With the heartache of loss and the sickness of deferred hope. Somewhere along the way, we run right into that painful space between what is and what should be. We hope for relationships, for children, for jobs. We long for healed bodies and souls, a better future, just a taste of success. Sometimes, we simply long to know we matter. And maybe, just maybe, we’re all looking for friends for this journey. Maybe we’re looking to laugh and cry and make sense of this life with others who won’t make us feel ashamed of our pieces. Maybe we’re looking for hope that a life of soul holes and unfulfilled dreams can still be joyful and meaningful. Read more
For years, I have said my struggle is not knowing what I believe about homosexuality and Christianity. But that’s a lie. My struggle has been more about my own fear of being kicked out of fellowship in the Bible Belt for being willing to defend gay people. I have been afraid to come out and say I believe all people were created by a God who loves us all the same. My struggle has been admitting that what you do behind closed doors in the privacy of your own bedroom with someone you love deeply and are committed to is none of my business. Read more
Being enough. It’s a common phrase of author, researcher and public speaker, Brene’ Brown. My husband and I are currently taking her “Living Brave” eCourse. Over the last thirteen years, she has researched vulnerability, courage, worthiness and shame. The concepts presented are things I desperately want to be the driving force of my life. But I keep thinking, “How do I even get there from here? How do I make the great leap from “overwhelmed and inadequate” to “I am enough”? Read more
Why don’t you fix me? Why don’t you just wave that *%#$ing magic wand I KNOW you have up there? I called you a liar, would slap your face if you showed it. But you withstood my storms. You were patience and peace, never matching my explosions, meeting me with ridiculous grace. You knew it wasn’t about you, and you were willing to take it. I don’t think I’d understand “steadfast love” if I hadn’t given you every reason to walk away. Read more
Reading a book about a friend who lost her mom to suicide would probably be difficult for most folks to digest, but even knowing my own history, I didn't comprehend how deeply this story would echo in the chambers of my soul. I don't do book formal reviews. But sometimes a book comes across your desk that is so powerful, you have to tell others about it. Read more
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