“Left to my own direction, my heart is a compass that guides me toward passions and pleasures. But God is the true compass, guiding me along His ultimate path for me, changing my heart and renewing my mind in the process. My heart is a broken instrument, so how can I possibly trust its direction? […]
Identity
who I am in light of the Great I AM
The Trap of Adolescent Thinking
Adolescence reaches further into childhood than it did twenty years, and spans further into adulthood as well. For me, childhood remained delightful, even idyllic at times and once I hit the streets of my college, I recaptured that zeal and hope, but the quaking, quivering in-between ages held little appeal to me. They weren’t nearly […]
These 4 Phrases Can Change Your Life
The American Institute of Health estimates that 75-90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems. Research shows that 75-98 percent of mental, physical, and behavioral illness comes from one’s thought life (Dr. Caroline Leaf). When I read Proverbs 31:25, I delight in the possible and cringe at how far off […]
Reliance vs. Responsibility
“If our identity is in our work, rather than Christ, success will go to our heads, and failure will go to our hearts.” ~Timothy Keller In case you haven’t already figured this out, I write for myself as much as I write for my readers. Whatever “lesson” I’m learning, I’m still in the process of […]
Male and Female and Crossing Over: the Dangers of Rewriting Gender
Our family loves watching competitions together (especially in the baking, cooking, and music fields). My daughter and I feel inspired to learn new baking techniques, explore exotic flavors, and venture into recipes we weren’t brave enough to try before. Everyone enjoys listening to talented musicians show off their vocal abilities, although no one in our […]
What Really Scares You?
Our family launched a new practice this year: we now have enough Nerf guns to have a battle. Turning nearly all the lights out and taking teams, we establish ourselves on opposite ends of the house and slowly make our way toward one another. Three shots and you are out of the game. The kids […]
The Divine 9: Peace, be still, my brother
Okay, back on the Enneagram bus, taking you to another beautiful number and that person’s passions and fears. Some Christians cringe over yet another discussion on personality. After all, these profiles can lead people to rely on crutches instead of submitted themselves to the Lord’s renewing power. Remember, the Enneagram profile only helps us if […]
Feelings over Thinkings: Musings on the 4
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”~Henri Nouwen My daughter’s tickle box overturns and we chuckle over her crazy drawing: eyes bugged out and a nose that somehow looks like a little butt. Her laughter gives mine permission to overflow too. My 4-year-old tells […]
Dreams, prestige, and the hottest day of the summer
My children are restless, literally wrestling out their excess energy on the floor. They pop out to the backyard, only to burst back through the door after five minutes, faces red and tongues hanging out. So, what do you do when it’s too hot to play? Drink hot tea, of course. My daughter decided to […]
Dear Graduate: Don’t be Afraid of Failure
Dear Graduate, This weekend or next, you will don the robe and ridiculous cap and stride past the other graduates to receive your diploma, the culmination of four years of achievement. On that day, you will feel successful…for you are. But even as you reach for your rolled scroll remember this: every day didn’t feel […]