Category: Growing in Christ
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3 Signs You’re Forgetting You’re Not God
If someone walked up to you and addressed you as “Lord” or “God of the universe,” I suspect you’d think it absurd. Most of us would never claim to be God or mistake ourselves as sovereign, all-powerful, or perfect. At least, not consciously. Without realizing it, though, we often act like we are God. That’s…
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Cleaning Up Accumulated Sin
I dug around in the fridge trying to find space for yet another tupperware container. They were stacked to the limit because I’d been shoving leftovers I had no intention of eating in there just to put off dealing with the waste another day…and another….and another. We do the same thing with our hearts. Sometimes…
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A Sure Foundation
One by one. Ever so carefully. We stacked the pieces with fingers crossed. The tower stood tall, having occupied me, a teenage helper, and several nursery kiddos for most of our time together. All it took was one wide-eyed, deviously grinning four-year-old. He slipped through our grasp, and, with one swift kick, it all came…
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Are Your Gifts Getting in the Way?
For a time we had the joy of serving a sweet student couple a home-cooked meal once a month or so. It was especially fun when simple things like roasted broccoli lit up their faces because the cafeteria veggies were always soggy and steamed. One day, they asked if they could bring dinner to us…
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To The “Criers”
If you’re the sort who carries tissues in your purse and says, “sorry, I’m a crier,” in Bible studies and on coffee dates, you probably make me a little uncomfortable. That makes me doubly thankful for you. People like me, whose husbands say “you are?” and squint when we admit we’re crying, need you. We…
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To The Wanna-Know-It-Alls
“I don’t know.” You say it when someone asks you to do something and you aren’t sure how to answer. The words are uttered in annoyance by kids everywhere as parents inquire about homework, grades, and missing toys. “…Anymore” is tagged on when tragedies strike and we’re left in shock. Feelings of doubt, loss, vulnerability,…
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Comfort in Prayer
My prayer list felt awfully long. As I lifted each name to the Lord, and the thoughts, worries, hopes, and requests pertaining to each one, I felt heavy. There’s just so much suffering, so much unknown. There are just so many people who need Jesus- all of us, in fact. I know God’s not a…
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What’s in Your Closet?
For years, I walked around with holy socks. As in, socks with gaping holes in them. At first, it was because money was tight. Over time, it was just what I was used to (and I’m a creature of habit.) Even after someone gifted me new, thick, soft socks, I still wore the old ones….
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A Testimony to God’s Faithfulness and Thank You to YOU
Do you know the old hymn “Up from Grave He Arose?” It’s one of my favorites, and when I am bursting with excitement and praise, I pump my arms and sing it loudly off-key. There has been much occasion for this silly display recently, even in the midst of the pandemic. A Call to Pray…
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(Non-Bible) Lessons I’ve Learned from Bible Study
If you spend time reading and studying Scripture, you will learn a lot… and not just about key themes or specific commands or the people featured on the pages. You’ll also learn about yourself and the people around you, how to study God’s Word better, and about God’s character. Things I’ve learned from writing about…