I turned the doorknob with the precision of a safe cracker and closed their bedroom door. There couldn’t be so much as a click-clack to wake any of my five napping kiddos. I was too tired. Tired of meeting needs and feeling needy. Tired of being a grump and dealing with grumpy kids. Tired of trying so hard to be a faithful example and failing so often. Tired of praying for things to get better while circumstances remained unchanged. I tiptoed over squeaky floorboards toward my living room and … [Read more...]
Unlikely Reasons for Gratitude: Needing Help
It’s almost taboo in our Western culture that thrives on independence and producing. We applaud a man who “pulls himself up by his bootstraps.” We admire a liberated woman, and maybe we even sing along when we hear an old recording of Frank Sinatra singing, “I did it my way!” There’s a sense of pride attached to phrases like “on my own” and “self-sufficient” and a veritable stigma attached to words like “needy” and “emotional.” Perhaps those are just a few reasons we hate to do it. What … [Read more...]
Prayer: What difference does it make?
Every morning, for nine days in a row, I listened. My eyes were supposed to be closed, but instead I watched a few left over Wheaties swell and sink in my cereal bowl. In the summer before my freshman year I stayed with my grandparents while they were building a house. Since they were handy, hardworking, and adventurous, they lived in their fifth-wheel camper on the building site during construction. During the day we drove nails, raised walls, and framed up a deck. And by “we” I mean … [Read more...]
Celebrate! Remarkable Faith
Throw the confetti, blow the kazoos! Today's the big day! A Book is Born. The metaphor of childbirth has repeatedly come to mind throughout the last five years. That's right. FIVE years. Here's a little peek at baby's book's progression. The Ultrasound: This is the book on day-one of it's development. Ultrasounds are always a little blurry. I didn't know exactly what the book would look like or how it would grow, but here is the blurry, un-colorful, first picture. Book's First … [Read more...]
Sneak Peek: Finding Faith + a Bonus for You!
With the kind permission of my publisher, FaithWords, here is an excerpt from the introduction to Remarkable Faith: When Jesus Marveled at the Faith of Unremarkable People. If it whets your appetite for the rest of the book, be sure to see the pre-order bonus information at the end of this post. From the introduction.... Finding Faith Maybe you’ve resolved, again, to study your Bible more, serve at your church, or be a better wife, mom, husband, father, employee, or Christian. But the … [Read more...]