-
Why I Don’t Want to Be Full
“What are we arguing about again?” my husband asked. After some discussion, we came to the conclusion. We were arguing because I was bored. Being bored makes me rather grumpy. How about you? Some of us Type A people believe relaxation involves a checklist. Doers tend to associate a full schedule with a full heart….
-
Paradox of Perfection Book Review
“Umm…” My husband said hesitantly as he reviewed a recent work project of mine, “Did you want me to give feedback on this?” Taking a deep breath, I braced myself and nodded. I had expected, “oh cool,” not the implication there was a problem. “The word ‘success’ is spelled wrong,” he grimaced. So it was….
-
Giving Up
Do you know the icebreaker question “if you could meet anyone, who would it be?” Usual answers seem to include famous historical people, Bible figures, and celebrities. But for me, one of my top answers is Laura Story… Elvington. The singer, yes. But also the writer, mom, wife, and friend. God has used her words…
-
What You’ll Find In a Stronghold
THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE, AND HE KNOWS THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM.” –NAHUM 1:7 A refuge, by itself, is a place that offers sanctuary and safety. It is a figurative expression in Scripture describing God as our security. He offers us a place that we can retreat…
-
Raw Vs. Refined Knowledge
“I know where babies come from!” exclaimed the second grader as his classmates stared. A little girl had asked something related, and this boy could hardly raise his hand high enough. It was typical for him- he had an answer for everything at 7 years old. That being the case, we didn’t want to know…
-
Childlike Fear
At a large event, I watched as a toddler played gleefully on the bleachers. She was unaware of her fancy dress and the decorum around her. Free and safe as she wriggled between her parents, she was happy. Then…her foot slipped. With a terrified wail, she announced to everyone in the crowd her fear and…
-
The Who, Why, and What of “God Works Everything for Good”
Before I knew Christ as my Savior, I was familiar with the phrase “everything will work out for good.” The more familiar I became with evangelical Christianity, the more I learned similar phrases like “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” and “God helps those who help themselves.” As a determined optimist, I…
-
God Erases Our Regrets
I’m a know-needer. It’s not that I think I know it all, but that I want to know it all. The “what-ifs” of life are maddening to me. When they come up, I tend to identify every possibility and follow it to its end. At least that way I feel that I’ll know what to…
-
A Sneaky Strategy of Sin
One of the strategies of sin is to wear us down. My husband recently said that to me, and oh did it resonate. Often, we think of temptation as a flashing sign, a beautiful handwritten invitation, or the suggestion of something alluring. We say “that’s tempting” to junk food and vacations and fun plans when…
-
What We Are At The Mercy Of
The superhero show started out as expected. A tragic accident preceded the acquisition of superpowers. With the help of a lovable team, the superhero realized his potential and helped protect others- while investigating unsolved personal tragedy. It was all run of the mill, perfectly enjoyable…and then time travel entered the mix. Out of nowhere. Turning…