Our culture says that self-love is the key to happiness and growth. It tells us to affirm ourselves and think of how wonderful we are, and if we desire something, we should pursue it. Whatever makes us happy must be good for us, so they say. Don’t talk about your faults or flaws and most… Continue reading Accountability: That Which Brings Healing to the Soul
One doesn’t have to exert much effort to look around our country and notice it’s laden with conflict and turmoil. Political battles are simmering every which way. Violence and drug abuse are on the rise. Students in classrooms cause more disruptions by the day. And everyone’s arguing about what to do about it all. At… Continue reading Our Problem with Authority
Ten years ago, the list of her hungers had been rather long. Tonight, her list had been reduced to one simple thing: She hungered to be held. She hungered to be surrounded by the strong, protective arms of a man who knew her soul well and cherished it. She longed to be held in a… Continue reading She Hungered to be Held
As 2022 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year behind and set goals for the year ahead. My word for last year was “covenant faithfulness,” which I wrote about in this blog post. The Lord had much to teach me about this topic through my study of Hosea and personal goals… Continue reading 2023: Stewarding the Mind
In the past, I’ve written about the difficulties of the Christmas season for single people (see When You’re Tired of the Waiting this Christmas and When Part of Your Heart Feels Dark this Christmas). Those moments will probably never go away while we’re single because the ache and longing to have our own families during… Continue reading Five Holiday Traditions to Start as a Single Person
Advent Sunday 3: Peace Reflections from Zephaniah 3 & Luke 1 Angry shouts ring out. A door is slammed. A gun goes off. A siren wails in the night. Wars rage across the planet. Gang violence ravages neighborhoods. Bullies rule the school yard. Marriages rip apart in homes. And we all just… Continue reading Peace in the Midst of Chaos
Advent Sunday 2: Love Reflections from Isaiah 41 They fling their words desperately, Angry accusations tinged with pain – “How could a loving God Allow so much suffering in the world?” All around our parched, longing souls Lie disease, storms, destruction, Aches and fears, lies and fights. Where is the love of God… Continue reading Oh, What Love Divine!
Advent Sunday 1: Hope Reflections from Isaiah 9 We walk in the gloom of anguish. We walk in thick darkness, our heads bowed low, our hearts burdened heavy, our tears breaking out. Sin weighs us down. Pain, disease, heartache, despair— They seem to touch every corner Of our messy and fragile… Continue reading And So, We Hope this Christmas
The first half of my twenties were filled with adventure, memories, laughter, and a good share of angst that culminated in a devastating heartbreak right before my 25th birthday. The second half of my twenties saw healing, growth, and an embracing of who God had made me to be. My 30th birthday was a beautiful… Continue reading Dear 35: I Hope You Build with Courage
It was a warm Sunday in July when she asked me, “Would you consider going on the Italy short-term team this November?” Only the week prior had I listened to this fiery, warm-hearted lady and her husband share to our college group about their time as missionaries, and I had felt that stirring within me… Continue reading The Call to Go to Italy
The Vintage Girl 