Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. — John 15:4 At Christmastime, there’s just so much to do: picking out the perfect tree, finding the perfect gifts, hosting the…
The Birthplace of Disappointment
Welcome! Welcome to Session 1 of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. Opening Discussion How would you define disappointment? Watch Session One: The Birthplace of Disappointment The Birthplace of Disappointment (28 minutes) This Week’s Statement to Hold Onto: What would happen in our lives if we really lived in the absolute assurance of God’s love…
Gluten-Free Pasta: The Failure of Perfection
We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness, and affection. ~ Brené Brown The congested traffic curved for miles ahead of me, looking like a winding line of red…
Your Sins Are Forgiven
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. —Romans 8:1 NIV The algebra of Heaven reads something like this: Heaven is a perfect place for perfect people, which leaves us in a perfect mess. According to Heaven’s debt clock, we owe more than we could ever repay. Our debt is enough…
I Can’t Be Perfect
Trying to Be Perfect Dear Jesus, I am so frustrated and disappointed in myself. I want to be better than I am, and I want to do bigger and greater things. I know I’m not being all I can be — not for myself, not for those around me, and definitely not for You. Lord,…
Whispers from God to a Hungry Soul
Editor’s note: In Perfectly Unfinished, Andrea Logan White shares the story of her faith — a journey which took her from the Playboy mansion to finding God at a stop light on Hollywood Boulevard. Along the way, she battled the need to be “perfect”, to be accepted by herself, by others, and by God and discovered…
Hanging on By a Thread
Some days are easier than others. At least that’s what the flight attendant said, in her most compassionate voice, when she noticed the defeated look on my face. Hungry, tired, and fragile, I’d boarded the late night flight home with my three young children, knowing it wasn’t going to be pretty. Within minutes of the…
Giving Up on Perfect
No one has to teach us that perfect is the unofficial goal of American culture: we want straight A’s, the perfect yard, and a tiny waistline. We’ve been duped into believing that flawless is the only acceptable outcome in every area of our lives. The media has bombarded us with Photoshopped, cellulite-free thighs and wrinkleless…