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Follow in Full
Follow In Full “I know the plans I have for you[.]” (Jeremiah 29:11) This verse is often cited (out of context) to encourage modern Christians of the good plans God has for them. But so often, God’s good plans for us aren’t what we expect at all. Imagine what God might have said to Paul…
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Ruins and the Things That Last
We took a trip to England and Scotland recently. Some of our time was spent visiting ruins of castles, abbeys, and fortresses. The sagging, mossy walls with their abrupt openings told of rich histories and of human ingenuity. Strangely, rubble can be meaningful and beautiful! Standing in a crumbled courtyard reading a sign about the…
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Nothing Better To Do
I wonder if the disciples were more surprised when they discovered the empty grave or when Jesus’ nail-pierced hands prepared them breakfast. I’m a little startled every time I read about Jesus’ life on earth after the resurrection. He’d just proven that nothing – not even death – had authority over Him. He was the…
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Forever New
I love our Easter traditions. We decorate cookies while watching a movie that points to God’s mercy, like the 10 Commandments or The Case For Christ. Matt gives me Cadbury Caramel Eggs. We sing the same songs annually, like In Christ Alone and Up From the Grave. We read the same passages of God’s Word.…
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Meet Abigail Ruth Brenner
So I’ve been on a bit of an adventure… Will you join me? (And my 9-year-old imaginary friend named Abigail who I’d love for you to meet, plus her people?) I’ve been trying to find the words to share this adventure for a while and I just keep coming back to “Wow wow wow this…
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No More Wincing
Sometimes suffering involves less weeping than wincing. When we love someone who never quite crosses the line to push us away completely, but is unkind enough, often enough, that we never get close. When we face many little health challenges that don’t warrant visits with specialists and intense intervention, but ensure we’re always well-stocked with…
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In No Hurry
I am a person of hurry. No one who knows me hasn’t felt rushed by me at one point or another. But God takes His time. His plan to save us and adopt us as His own – in the fullness of time long-awaited – took time, humanly speaking.
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2023 Good List
2023 was a bit of a wild ride, but there’s a lot on my good list. I could have kept going, but here are some good gifts and joys from this year. (Thank you, Lord!) 2023 Good List -Matt’s persistent patience -Seeing the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce + the Hoover Dam -All the prayers and…
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Even Marcus Can’t Ruin Christmas {A Short Story}
“Is it standing straight?” Dad huffed from under the Christmas tree. “I think so…” Mom answered, hands on her hips as she eyed it from the other side of the room, “yeah, I think you’re good!” “Finally,” Marcus muttered, his six-year-old toes tapping impatiently. He felt like he’d been waiting for days for everyone to…
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Who Are You Grateful To?
The children’s ministry at our church has focused on gratitude this month and I’ve loved that there’s a dual focus: who we’re grateful for and who we’re grateful to. We’re missing out when we forget who we’re grateful to because thankfulness loses its intent, reducing it to a mere feeling. Gratitude isn’t meant to be…