I decided to repost this blog from a few years ago since I've talked recently about rebuke/correction on here. As you can see, it's been quite the theme for a few years! Thankfully, God has not given up on me and I know He has done a work to soften my heart. I am a work in progress, and He is not finished with any of us! *** Last Friday, there were some words exchanged in our home that led me to lock myself in the bathroom and get on my knees. (Deep breath for those of you who thought being a Read More
Frayed Shoes and Fresh Starts
There is something about the first day of school that makes me so giddy. I just love fresh starts. I think that's what it is. Newly sharpened pencils and fresh crayons. All of your attempts at organization get another chance. Something that feels dead gets resuscitated. Atleast that's how it feels for me. There was a little wrench thrown into my "fresh start" this year, however. When we went out to buy NEW things for a NEW school year, my ten-year-old refused to participate. Her Read More
Meet Gelisa
Those of you who know me know that I love a good story. I love reading stories, telling stories...but most of all, discovering God stories...you know...stories that make you stand in awe of God's personal involvement and power. Recently I asked Jesus to send me some God stories that I could document and share on this blog. I'm so thankful that God brought Gelisa to our church three years ago. It's really quite the story, and I'm thankful that she's willing to share it. So, make sure you're Read More
Everyday Evangelism (4/5): Mommy Missionaries
What does it look like to be a mom on mission? When I got pregnant with my first child, I remember thinking, “God, is this really the most effective way for your gospel to spread? For me to have a full-time job caring for a small baby...changing diapers, feeding, and cleaning?” I had been trained to think like a missionary and this seemed counter-intuitive. For the years previous to this, I had been immersed in ministry life and enjoyed feeling productive and significant. What was going to Read More
Everyday Evangelism (3/5): But Why Is It So HARD?
In last week's blog post, I told a story that clarified the gospel. Now whenever I use the term gospel, you know what I mean. The gospel is not doing good deeds (although these are nice...), but rather the age-old message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today I want to discuss: Why is it so hard to share this gospel? When I lived in Iceland, I got to observe dying Christianity at its finest. When discussing this phenomenon with an Icelandic Christian, she summed it Read More
Everyday Evangelism (2/5): “But, what IS the gospel?”
If "evangelism" means sharing the gospel, what then IS the gospel? Fortunately for me, I live with a scholar who set me straight on this issue. Many years ago, our family visited a church while we were travelling. A representative from a humanitarian organization was speaking that day and we listened to his stories about Africa and poverty. His message pinnacled around one particular story. I can't remember every detail, but it involved this man befriending a little African boy and Read More
Everyday Evangelism (1/5): A Taboo Conversation?
I just googled synonyms for evangelism because I know some people hate the word. Sermonizing, propoganda, brainwashing...yikes...I guess I'll stick to evangelism. I know this topic isn't the most comfortable, but here we go.... Recently, I came across a post that resonated with me so deeply that I put it by my sink and so I could pray it every morning. In his open letter to his (and my) denomination, the author began by confronting himself to love Jesus more deeply and tell others Read More
Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2015
I came across this blog title last year and made a note to copy it. It's one of my traditions at the end of a year to read my journal from that year. It's always an insightful activity...to remember what I struggled with...to reflect on what God has taught me... After going through my journal from 2015, a few themes stood out. Here are the Top 10 Lessons from 2015: 1. I am weak. I haven't blogged a ton this past year. Of course, it has something to do with having four kids and being Read More
My Crisis of Faith and How to Get Through Your Own
Have you ever asked your self one of these questions: If ultimate truth really does exist, how could I even find it? And, if I did find it, how would I know that I’ve found it? There are so many religions out there, how could we possibly know which one is right? Even though I was born in a Christian home, went to church three times a week, attended Christian college, and went right from there into ministry life, I went through a crisis-of-faith of sorts at age 28. It actually began the Read More
Good Friday and My Really Bad One
A few months ago on a Friday, there were some words exchanged in our home that led me to lock myself in the bathroom and get on my knees (Deep breath for those of you who thought being a pastor/pastor's wife meant being immune from these kinds of things...). The details are muddy, but I'm sure it involved being challenged by my husband, my pride getting dealt a good blow, and feeling offended. I was nursing the wound with tender, loving care when I remembered my prayer from that morning, Read More