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3 Reasons This Christian Girl Runs
I get it. Some people hate running. I once was one of them, and some days, I still am. When I tell people I’m training for a half marathon, I get a variety of responses. Most fall into one of the following categories. I’d be curious to hear yours, and I promise, you won’t hurt my feelings! [polldaddy poll=9817788] Asking the reason why Whether you’re setting goals or getting ready to make a decision, pause to ask, “Why am I doing this?” That’s a healthy question. Last time when we talked about goals, we determined the bottom line for doing anything is to glorify God (I Corinthians 10:31). Let me…
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2 Realities of Reaching Worthy Goals
I’m convinced that anything worthwhile involves sacrifice. To reach a great goal, you have to give up good things. Take sleep, for example. For the last two Saturdays, when many people enjoyed the chance to catch some extra Zs, I set my alarm early to go for a long run. Granted, I enjoyed the morning with some amazing running partners, but I had to sacrifice sleep, embrace sweat, and push through fatigue (and dewy cobwebs along the trail). But I’ll never be ready for my half marathon in November if I don’t. As I type those words, I laugh, because not many years ago, I couldn’t even run a mile.…
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Unchanging Identity in Christ
Perhaps you’re overwhelmed by the insanity in our world or experiencing a personal trial or struggle. This week, I felt burdened to share a post I wrote a few years back that challenges us to stay grounded in our true identity. May it encourage you today. This world has a warped view of identity. The highest value is placed on having the biggest house, driving the newest car, being or having the trophy wife, earning the biggest buck, and living the “American dream.” People wear themselves out trying to impress and trying to get more. I think sometimes this mentality rubs off on Christians. We seek to find our value…
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6 Items You Won’t Find on a Supply List, Pt. 2
In college, I was the girl who set two alarm clocks and chose outfits the night before. I stressed over syllabi more times than I care to admit. Sometimes, I focused so closely on the tangible details that I overlooked the spiritual equipment needed to get through the day. Ephesians 6 outlines the ultimate Every Day Carry (EDC) list we can’t do without—whether we’re in high school, college, or beyond. Last week, we saw the first three, and today, we’ll examine the final ones. Item #4: The Shield of Faith The Apostle Paul underscores the importance of a soldier’s shield. Most of us don’t sling medieval metal over our shoulders,…
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6 Items You Won’t Find on a Supply List
This time of year, stores greet you with shelves of back-to-school supplies, an ominous reminder that summer is almost over. Soon, students and teachers will be saying goodbye to lazy summer days and the snooze button. Sure, scissors and number two pencils have their place, but students won’t find what they need most on a supply list. If you’re a student, whether new to high school or finishing college, your biggest hurdles this year won’t be mental or physical. They’ll be spiritual, so you can’t afford not to have these items. Ephesians 6:14-17 provides the list of essentials to start the year right. Item #1: The Belt of Truth Growing…
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Don’t Throw Paint at a Heart Problem
I feel a little guilty. The other day, I set a beautiful piece of furniture out by the road for trash pickup. However, before the garbage crew arrived, some unlucky person thought it was a steal and snatched it. What’s wrong with that? Let me back up the story. When I first purchased the hutch, it was ordinary and old, but with a friend’s help, I transformed it into a Pinterest-worthy piece. But there was one problem. While I thought it would look perfect in my home, a bug had already made it his home. I first suspected something was wrong when I moved the hutch from my parent’s garage…
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Praise God in Soggy Circumstances
Summertime brings some of this Florida girl’s favorite things: from beach volleyball to stunning sunsets to outdoor adventures. Along with its golden glory, the season also presents undesirable side effects like thunderstorms that rain out weeknight runs with friends and weekend water plans. Anyone who’s lived in this state long knows what I mean. While I would choose sunshine over rain any day, the rain has its place. Yes, it keeps the grass green, but it also speaks a needed reminder to my heart. Rain reminds me to thank God even when I’d prefer sunshine. Life’s that way, isn’t it? Perhaps you had your heart set on one plan, and…
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Live Wholeheartedly
I love how God connects friends over the years and over the miles. More than a decade ago, I met Lyndsey when she married my older brother’s best friend (a great friend to my whole family). Today, they have a beautiful family of their own and live out west, but I keep up with them over social media. Lyndsey also works with the Wholly Loved team and invited me to guest blog on their site. I’m so excited she did! This ministry reaches Christian women spanning all walks of life. Their website says: We’re a group of moms, wives, and professionals who love encouraging women to discover, embrace, and live…
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A Cord of Three Strands
If you follow me on social media, you’ve probably seen the rescue kitten that now runs my house (only partially joking there). Good news is that low-to-no budget toys are often what makes kitty happiest. The other day, Mom gifted my little Ness with a red crochet strand with a jingle bell at the end. Turns out, it once belonged to some Christmas socks my great-aunt made me … a long time ago. Despite the years, those three strands remain tightly knit together, at least until my kitten gets the best of them. In the Bible, Solomon uses the visual of a three-strand cord to visualize why we need strong…
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3 Reasons to Thank Dad on Father’s Day
To most, the man across the table from me is nothing but an old broken Tooler with knobby fingers and dirty nails. To me, he is everything left that’s kind and lovely in the world. – Portia, The Revisionary At the beginning of The Revisionary, Portia and her father Abram Abernathy only have each other, but she’s made a plan to get back her lost brother. She thinks that if she can earn a Revisionary seat in the ruling Dome, she can rescue him from the satellite where the ASU government banished him. Although her father calls her plan “a fool’s errand,” she is sure of one thing: he loves her,…
