We often power through the holidays versus truly experiencing them. There is so much extra that goes on in December between parties, gifts, traditions, additional activities at church and kid activities. I have a particularly challenging combination on my hands. I love traditions, and I also like crafty things. I have to be really careful…
Have you ever felt terrified? Not just afraid, but really, truly terrified? Perhaps you thought you were going to die, or perhaps you came face-to-face with your greatest fear? For me, one of these moments happened when I experienced my first anaphylactic reaction. I was in my early thirties when my palms and the bottoms…
Yes, I am an adrenaline junkie. I’ve been to all seven continents and both polar circles to bungee jump, paraglide, ice climb, and surf in the arctic. I used to think I had to redeem my adventures, especially my adrenaline rushes. I felt ashamed to go bungee jumping in South Africa while my friends spent…
As I consider the wondrous gifts of Pentecost, I am humbled by God’s amazing compassion towards us, but I’m also reminded of recent loss. During the second year of the pandemic, I lost three close friends, all Christian women who ended our connection in terribly damaging ways. How grievous it is to lose a friend—as…
“Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col. 4:6 NIV) Opportunities abound in this month of Thanksgiving for us to have big conversations with family and friends. I don’t consider myself a very quick thinker or very witty, so this freaks me…
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and…