If It Weren’t for Billy Graham, I Wouldn’t Be Alive

I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Billy Graham. You read that right. I really wouldn’t. Do you ever wonder who it was in your life that was the crux of it all that led to your existence? Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe YOU are the one that will be the prompt to someone else’s opening … Read More

#WinningAtLife

What does winning at life look like, really? In a culture of hashtags, most of us are familiar with #winning or #winningatlife . Sometimes these little community builders are used in jest or sarcasm and others, they are used as an honest cheer for small and great victories alike. I’ve used both. Plugging in the crockpot AND turning it on? … Read More

This Stuff is Real

I’m not a theologian. But I am a Christ-follower. Long before I chose Him 29 years ago, Jesus chose me. I was 4 when I decided to follow Jesus. It wasn’t a complicated decision. I hadn’t been into drugs or come from an abusive home or anything like that. My storyline of following Jesus had a pretty steady baseline until … Read More

When God Doesn’t Stop The Storm

Storms. That’s been the common theme of most news cycles the last week. For many of us, we’ve been on the edge of our seats, petrified for our loved ones, their homes, and our fellow mankind in general. Our pastor and his wife thought they were in St.Martin just to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Turns out, they were there to … Read More

When All You Know Is That Jesus Loves You

Recently, some majorly bad decisions, which did not match up with the apparent character of a person very dear to our family, were revealed. In shocked disbelief, questions poured out. Nothing made sense about any of the information we learned because all things we were hearing were polar-opposite to the person we thought we knew. The more uncovering that happened, … Read More

What Keeps You Up At Night?

What keeps you up at night? No, really. Be honest. What are your deepest thoughts, which your mind churns through while all else is still? Blogs and books are a dime a dozen, these days, aren’t they? Sometimes, it seems like many of these published works are meeting the needs of what is ordinary in order to help people feel … Read More

Wonderful Counselor

Do you ever choose a word for your new year? It’s usually a word that summarizes what you hope to be the over all tone of your coming 365 days. My word for 2015 was: Intentional. One thing I chose to be intentional about for these past twelve months was reaping the benefits of counseling. I was in an intense … Read More

What to Do When Even Christmas Offends You

Last Christmas, I was a mess. Four months prior, I lost my first child- a miracle child- to miscarriage. My world stopped spinning for a while and so much offended me. Things that were part of my regular rhythms weren’t cutting it for my broken heart. Going to church didn’t feel safe for me, but I went anyway. I was surrounded by … Read More

More Than Stumps

I was burning hot mad. Someone had invaded my territory off my watch and massacred my yard along with the symbols of Spring’s hope that my fragile soul was clinging to. And the invasion came within inches of my child’s grave. The day before was supposed to be our due date. My husband and I had withdrawn to a quiet … Read More

Why Every Story Matters

Often, we get frustrated because of how long it’s taking our story to unfold. Or maybe, we secretly think how insignificant our story seems compared to other people’s stories. When I wait in transient seasons, wondering what’s next and if I’m even leaving a scratch on the etchings of this world’s story, I get caught wondering the same things. I … Read More