Tag: book
-
Frustrated with Normalcy
Normal. It’s something we at once don’t want to be confined to and at the same time wish to obtain. Some think it’s a mirage. Others believe it’s what we make it out to be. Jonathan Parnell believes “normal” is something we shouldn’t just accept. In his book Never Settle for Normal, readers are encouraged…
-
God’s Reverberating Word
“Sola Scriptura.” I remember reading the phrase (Scripture alone) in High School as our history books tackled the reformation. The concept was mentioned briefly as one of the causes of the divide in Christianity that shook the world at the time. Such a stance was not- and still is not- without powerful consequence. More than…
-
A Reality Check on Fear: Book Giveaway!
It may seem a little strange for me to review a book written for moms. The 10 pounds of fur snoozing next to me is the closest thing I have to a ward. Much as he thinks he is a baby, he’s not! My friend Bethany Douglas’s book Helicopter Mom is definitely relevant for the…
-
Finding Home in the Midst of Change
He and his groomsmen marched to the altar with General Patton’s March playing. Shortly after, we clasped hands, bowed our heads, and prayed for the first time as two newly become one in Christ. We danced to This is Home by Switchfoot with all the laughable grace of giraffes on stilts. Home is where the…
-
No Easy Jesus Review
In copywriting, offering “10 simple steps” is a great way to gain viewership. Promises to provide something life-changing with ease makes for a great hook. There’s a reason for that. We like reward without risk. We aim to get the most out of doing the least. Call it entitlement, laziness, or whatever you’d like, but…
-
It’s (Not) Going to Get Better
I’m not a pessimist. In fact, I tend far too much toward optimism. However, I’ve learned that belligerent optimism isn’t helpful when equally stubborn hardship prevails. The reality is that we should expect suffering as a result of sin. Believers should expect the added difficulties of persecution and living apart from the pattern of the…
-
Millennial Identity at the Intersection of Faith
Born smack dab into the middle of the millennial generation, I caught the coattails of motivational campaigns to defy stereotypes just in time to ride the tide of embracing uniqueness. Today, myself and my peers boast about what used to be stereotypes in our social media bios. We outline the categories we fit into to…
-
Marital Spats and God’s Plan (Giveaway)
**Giveaway details at the end of the post!** The day our premarital counseling workbook began addressing arguments, my husband and I were relieved. We have always been really good at arguing. It’s one of our unexpected spiritual gifts (ha!) We even told the pastor counseling us. He was surprised. Apparently, most couples get married believing…
-
Confession: I’m Not a Fan of Devotions
My love-hate relationship with devotions started in college. It was my first time immersed in a Christianese culture. I didn’t know much about Jesus, and I didn’t care about the Gospel. I just wanted to be a good person and prove myself worthy to the God I didn’t understand. In waltzed a dorm-mate one day,…
-
Overcome Failure Book Review
I’m one of those people who has regularly lived in fear of failure. Are you? I’ve made too many decisions based on what I know I can do, not what I believe I should do. All too often, I shrink back from the ideas that excite me, even when I know the Lord is offering…