What if the gospel is more like Halloween than Christmas? If you grew up hearing that Halloween was the celebration of evil, you might feel as shocked as I did when the question was posed to me. When I considered how the two holidays might relate to the gospel, the thought of Halloween being a … [Read more...] about The Gospel According to… Halloween?
Rest & Relief
Why this trial?
It’s often said, “You’ve either been through a trial, are going through a trial, or are headed for a trial.” I’m not sure who first said it, but life sure has a way of validating the statement, doesn’t it? Pandemic, anyone? Add to that a thousand physical, emotional, and spiritual battles … [Read more...] about Why this trial?
On Caring for Yourself without Rolling Your Eyes
Self-Care. Stop right there. Did you just roll your eyes? I did. Or at least I used to. “Self care” sounded like a personality assessment, painted toe nails, and coffee with an elaborate drawing in the foamed milk. It seemed less than helpful to me. I mean, as believers in Jesus, aren’t we … [Read more...] about On Caring for Yourself without Rolling Your Eyes
Where to Find Relief from a Noisy Election Cycle
The first election cycle I remember paying attention to is only memorable to me because of the fear I had as I watched the results roll in. The votes were tipped toward the candidate that wasn’t “our guy.” And “we” lost. I had listened to radio broadcast, news reports, and the adults in my life … [Read more...] about Where to Find Relief from a Noisy Election Cycle
An Easy Burden?
It’s one of my favorite verses. It even appears at the end of everything you read here. Sometimes it seems a little funny to quote the whole verse though because its context is colored with an unfamiliar agricultural metaphor. What on earth is a yoke? In modern terms, it was a farm implement. … [Read more...] about An Easy Burden?
One Way to Rest from the Weight of Worry
Once upon a time when I was a young mom, three ugly but invisible ingredients converged on me right in the middle of my kitchen. Isolation, worry, and failure to live up to my own expectations. They all collided and stirred up a toxic cocktail I never wanted to drink. I’d never felt anything like … [Read more...] about One Way to Rest from the Weight of Worry