Christians need help with confrontations. Let’s face it. There’s a lot of meanness out there. Most of the time we just sit and take it. Others, we walk away and complain to our friends. Rarely do we stand up and respectfully, firmly put someone in their place. But there are ways to avoid an emotional […]
Why You Have To Be Hated To Be a Christian
Your parents wanted to make you a clone of them. Didn’t take. You rebelled. Your pastor wanted to make you a Jesus Freak. Didn’t work. Toned that down. You fought and fought to carve yourself into a self-made man (or woman). But you couldn’t drop one bad habit of biting your fingernails. Your culture didn’t […]
When Feelings Go Crazy and You Question God’s Word
A few minutes ago I wanted to shut down the blog. Quit writing entirely. A minute or so later I thought of something slightly encouraging and decided it was worth it. And if I tracked back across the last month, I’d find a wild rollercoaster of emotions ranging from touching the sky (when women didn’t […]
Too Beautiful to Hold
There are moments too beautiful for a heart to hold. So I stand here with my little girl in my arms, this tiny heart soaking into me, and mine pouring out all over the floor. Soaking the carpet. Splattering the dresser (the one given to us by your grandparents). Sloshing up the walls I painted with […]
(SECRET TO MOMS) What Men Don’t Want You To Know That We Know
Ever wonder what stay at home moms sit around and do all day? You might, if you think about it during your lunch break. You might consider, as you converse around the work coffee machine, what it would be like to tan by the pool and relax in your new bathing suit and shades. Or dream about burning through books on the […]
Open Letter to a Mom
Dear Mom, Thank you for being the best mother in the world. I know, everyone says that they have the best mother in the world. But no, really. Thank you for not throwing me out of the window as an infant. This means a lot considering I was up every two hours the first two […]
How to Stay On Fire for God
I sat down across from an old friend as the lively Friday night pub buzzed around us. Glasses clinked and excited voices chattered, and it matched the anticipation I felt at being back in the old town, having old feelings mix with new opportunities. After shouting our drink order to the server, we settled into a close conversation. Moments […]
Are You a Perfect Christian?
Any perfectionists out there? Put your hands up now. Any at all? Oh, this is the internet. You’re all sitting in a bath towel on a laptop on the couch with both hands up. Well, God wants you to repent. That’s right. Change your wicked ways. Oh, I know, perfectionism is a crutch we use […]
Is the Church Becoming Worldly?
(I love the church. Deeply. But I also believe we need to be alert to keep the church from being influenced by the culture. This is a warning.) A few years ago, a person close to me applied for a head worship position over a large church ministry. He was asked to send in a video […]
How to Ask Forgiveness and Still Come Out on Top
Oh, did I lie about you behind your back? Sorry ’bout that. Slander your family name? Curse your children’s lineage? My bad. Expose your insecurities? Ridicule your flaws? Mock your existence? Sorry you took that the wrong way. Lighten up. Didn’t mean it. Just kidding. I’m sorry you got your feelings hurt. Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, SORRY. […]