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A Love Story of Eight Months and Beyond
Right now, my gait is more like a waddle. I can no longer see my toes when I stand up, and if something drops to the ground, it’s dead to me. The definition of love that my college Bible professor gave me has taken on new meaning during my pregnancy: Love is purposing the good of another. Right now, everything about my body is purposing my baby’s good—regardless of my own comfort or lack thereof. During the pregnancy period, God teaches us moms to give up our interests for our baby and sets the tone for the rest of our lives as mothers. The short version: This life is not…
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The Secret to Anticipating Christmas
Back in August, my husband caught me humming, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Although James loves Christmas, he’s more of a put-the-tree-up-after-Thanksgiving guy. His brows arched. “Are you humming what I think you’re humming?” I held up my hands and grinned. “That’s what you get for having a wife who sings in the choir.” He had the song stuck in his head a day later. You’re welcome. My fellow musicians understand that Christmas practice begins about the time Hobby Lobby puts up its holiday décor—or way too early for most people. For vocalists and crafters, though, we need this time to prepare, to anticipate the season that’s coming. But…
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The Divine Adventure: Giveaway and Book Review
Rebecca Friedlander had me at her title. I love the idea of our relationship with God being a divine adventure. In her book, she outlines twelve spiritual practices to strengthen and enrich our walk with God. In order, they are: Say yes (to God’s grace) The quiet place Search the Scriptures Community Forgiveness Pilgrimage Obedience Meekness Sacred rest Giving Fasting Worship While many of the principles were familiar to me, some were new, or Friedlander challenged me to think about them in a way I hadn’t considered before. Through the pages, she is open with her own experiences and empathetic toward others while offering practical steps to grow in each…
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You Want to Know these 21 Lessons for Life & Ministry
Sometimes, a book truly helps us to be better people and followers of Jesus. Tom Lane’s book, Tested and Approved: 21 Lessons for Life and Ministry, is one. It’s not a “self-help” book but rather a “soul-help” book. The lessons he breaks down reorient our perspectives so that we can be most effective in our callings. His message is approachable and oh so relevant for our daily lives, whether we are in ministry or pursuing our passions elsewhere. Since I’m not in full-time ministry, I’ll be sharing some of the practical personal takeaways that stood out to me as a writer and educator. Keep reading to find out how you…
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She Walked Before Us: Book Review & Giveaway!
Oh friends, I am so excited to share this book with you. She Walked Before Us by Jill Eileen Smith is a beautiful blend of biblical fiction and non-fiction, and I honestly haven’t read anything quite like it before. If you’re looking for a Bible study that will inspire and challenge you, look no further. About the Book Smith’s book is part Bible study, part biography, and part fiction. She examines the lives of twelve women from the Old Testament and breaks the chapters into sections. Some parts encourage the reader to imagine what these women’s lives might have been like, and other parts examine the biblical record or what…
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Little Is Much When the Lord Is in It
My very first Christmas choir solo included these lyrics: “Little is much when the Lord is in it.” I was a shy, insecure thirteen-year-old, but I took such comfort in these words. Today, they still encourage me whether I’m wondering what difference my writing can make or whether my students actually take the time to read my comments and feedback to help them improve. Maybe you’ve felt the same way. When we’re tempted to despair at how “little” we have to give, let’s remember a minor character in a major Bible story. Show Up for Service Instead of worrying about outcomes, we should instead focus on showing up for service.…
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My Personal Testimony: Life is a Gift
Special thanks to Phyllis for inviting me to give my testimony on her blog Songs of Salvation! When she asked if I’d share, I realized that although you, my friends, get to know me through my stories and posts, I haven’t actually spelled out how and when God started working in my life. Today, my hope is that my testimony encourages you, wherever you are in your spiritual walk. My testimony I am truly grateful for my godly heritage and growing up in a Christian home, though an imperfect one. Regardless, my family’s faith wasn’t enough. I needed to make it mine. One Sunday, something the pastor said must have…
