Too much. Too intense. Too crazy. Too opinionated. Too controlling. Too active. Too passionate. Too angry. Too expressive. Too eager… [this self-talk swirled my thoughts down the toilet] Someone would tell me to just “calm down” and I’d feel like screaming. I’d share my opinions and I’d get a head shake or smirk in response […]
Truth
Truth
3 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Temptation
Last night I read a Bible-story about Jesus to Landon. I’ll admit, sometimes I read without letting the Holy Spirit influence me as well; news flash, it’s not just for the kids. Page 8 caused me pause. “But Satan, the enemy who had spoiled God’s world, wanted to stop Jesus from doing God’s work. “He […]
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 […]
Go Ahead, Try Me: A Rebel’s View on Authority
Last week my husband came to me regarding an issue at work. Being a respectful rule-follower, he told me his conundrum and wondered if he had done the right thing or not. I laughed, “I’m not the person to be asking.” He has a strong sense of right and wrong and operates out of conviction, […]
For Sale: Beware of the Industry
*Disclaimer: this content is not appropriate for younger eyes.* Imagine your daughter perched on the couch, laughing with friends while painting their fingernails and watching an Austen film. In the last year, she’s grown taller than you, but her knobby knees and questions let you know she’s still a child at heart. It wasn’t that […]
Motivating our Minions
In college, I worked two years at a daycare. Although I appreciated the preparation it afforded toward future parenting, some of the methods employed didn’t set me up as a successful instructor. Obviously, a daycare regulated by the state had to be cautious when it came to disciplinary actions. We as teachers were not allowed […]
Resurrection Art & Music: Ushering You In
By His wounds we are healed. I’ve always loved Ron DiCianni’s work, but this painting impacts me in a powerful way. He IS risen and holds the keys of death! “Oh, death, where is your sting? Oh, Hell, where is your victory? Oh […]
Strange and Set Apart
When I was in elementary school, I attended VBS at our church. As was typical of most Baptist churches in the 80’s, snacks consisted of Ritz crackers and the ever-present Kool-Aid, which we were never permitted to drink. Being far ahead of the trend, my mom sought to feed us organic food, avoiding chemicals and […]
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 […]
Facing the Enemies of my Marriage
I’d done it again: said the words I shouldn’t have said. Critiqued when I should have encouraged. And the person I love more than anyone else felt the brunt of my barbs. Why is it that the people we care the most for often receive the ugliest, unrestrained aspects of us? Sometimes I need to […]