As I arrive nearer and nearer to the heart of things — at least as close as I’m able to get right now — what lies at the center are these four things: Jesus, Aaron, gratitude, and strength. As I leave things behind — heavy things, things that have kept me trapped and exhausted for…
Rejoice: Come Dance With Me
Be glad and rejoice with me. – Philippians 2:18 The discipline of celebration is changing my life, and I invite you into the same practice. Come tap dance with me on the fresh graves of apathy and cynicism, the creeping belief that this is all there is, and that God is no match for the wreckage of the world…
The Advent Alternative
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). — Matthew 1:22–23 Advent is about waiting, anticipating, yearning. Advent is the question, the pleading, and Christmas is the answer…
10 Favorite Devotionals of 2015
Devotional books are terrific for so many reasons (let me count the ways!), but if you’re like me, the main reason I love devos is because, even though I’d love to have a leisurely hour by a cozy fire with my dog Maisy, Bible, devotional, journal, a doppio cappuccino, and a pecan roll (Hello, Instagram!), my morning…
Present: How Not to Miss the Loveliness of Christmas
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. — Psalm 23:2-3 During Christmastime we find ourselves tempted to abandon Christlikeness in favor of overdoing. The season that centers around the silent, holy night, the simple baby, and the star quickly becomes the season in which…
Practicing True Thanksgiving
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 On a snowy night we hosted house church, and I cooked a Thanksgiving dinner. Even though I had done the meal part of Thanksgiving twice that year, I hadn’t yet done the…
The Affects of Venomous Anger
Venom As churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife. — Proverbs 30:33 Earlier this year, a friend of mine made me really mad. Crazy mad. I felt small and scared and out of control, and like my friend was making decision after decision to hurt…
God Gives Lessons Over and Over: Learn the First Time
Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. — Proverbs 1:5 In my first job out of college, one of the people I worked with drove me crazy. He pushed my buttons and hurt my feelings and twisted my words, and I couldn’t get past it. After months…