Do not be afraid…
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.” ---Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words: Daily Readings in the ABC's of Faith In the Bible, the command repeated most frequently is “Fear not.” [...]
Fragile foster kids find a home
Where do the kids who no one wants go? How do foster kids who are "difficult to place" because of their medical challenges find a home? Sometimes, the story of a family captures your imagination [...]
A monastic approach to motherhood
I’m excited to welcome Micha Boyett, author of Found: A Story of Questions, Grace and Everyday Prayer, to the blog today and tomorrow for a little interview. First, my short review of Found: Being a [...]
Is work a gift, or a curse?
I'm blogging at The High Calling channel on Pathoes.com today about work, what gives it meaning, significance and joy. Too many Christians buy into a subtle but critical theological mistake: that their work, if they [...]
The empty table (and some thoughts on filling it)
As a treat to myself on a fall afternoon, I pull out my trusty Le Creuset dutch oven. At 3 in the afternoon, I chop onions, garlic, rosemary, and parsnips; brown beef ribs marbled with [...]
Empty nest? Not so great.
So I have been an “empty nester” for exactly one week. So far, it totally sucks. I do not like it one bit. I am irritable and difficult--I admit this. Something feels off balance, and [...]
Bring it! (or, How to figure out your true priorities)
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that [...]
Four questions to facilitate spiritual formation in small groups
Life change happens in small groups. If we ask ourselves and our groups the right questions, we can create environments for transformation. If you lead a small group, one of your goals might be to [...]
All the time you need
“You have all the time you need to do the things that God has called you to do.” The words of a wise friend, they snagged on my busy soul—all the time I need? Really? [...]
Four alternatives to family devotions: family spiritual practices
Family devotions have often felt like an epic fail for us. When my children were small, my husband and I wanted to be what we thought were good Christian parents, so we read Bible stories [...]