I grew up in a traditional Bible Belt church in Texas. The church—and when I say “church,” I mean the people not the building—was instrumental in solidifying my faith. There were many sermons about how to share our faith with others, but this topic always felt scary to me. What if I didn’t get the…
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14 NIV) Over the summer, a friend shared with me how her family is experiencing…
With a blast of its whistle, the vintage locomotive shuddered to a stop along the tracks at the top of the bluff. The charming conductor tipped his hat and a grin spread beneath his handlebar mustache as he helped us down the stairs. We found ourselves in what felt like a scene straight out of…
My husband and I recently purchased a home built in the 1960s that needed some features updated. One of the challenges with an older home is that you never know what you’ll find as you begin repairs. It was important to me that the mirror my grandmother gifted us years ago was displayed in place…
I was sitting on my barstool, drowsily sipping my morning coffee and reading my Bible study, when this question jolted me: What was one of the most passionate or intense prayers you can remember praying? Immediately I recalled several intense prayer sessions. Sadly, not all of my heartfelt cries produced happy outcomes. I remembered huddling…
Those of us who have grown up in the evangelical church have learned, whether directly or indirectly, that “real” ministry requires significant sacrifice. For some reason, we seem convinced that the work of the Great Commission should only occur beyond the borders of the United States. Yet there are people all around us looking for…