Count on it. Something unexpected is going to happen every season you lead a Bible study. Maybe you will face run-of-the-mill obstacles like childcare hiccups or location snafus. Or maybe the twist will be a global pandemic. Whether you are a...
Read moreOur family gave up waffles (but not pancakes) and found freedom.
In 2005, our family was living in a three-bedroom ranch home, vintage 1954. We had two children under the age of three. My husband and I traveled often with our college ministry jobs, and we hosted students and groups from our church even more...
Read moreWhich Children’s Bible Should You Read?
Is it wrong to have a favorite child? Yes. (See the second half of Genesis for the fallout.) Is it wrong to have a favorite children’s Bible? I hope not. However, I do believe “favorites” and “superlatives” might be...
Read moreThe Thing Parents Should Do Five Minutes a Day
After being pregnant for nine months with my first child, I went into labor, made it to the hospital, experienced a safe delivery, and felt very satisfied. I had run the race. I had finished the task. I had birthed 6 lbs, 3ozs of perfection in...
Read moreBubbles
We gave our third grader the opportunity (aka forced her) to participate in the neighborhood swim team this year. Since she’s never swum competitively, she asked why people write “Eat my bubbles” on their arms and backs. (Good question …...
Read moreWhich Translation of the Bible is the Best?
Could I have chosen a post with a more incendiary title? Perhaps not. One of my favorite courses in college was “media law“ and one of the topics in that class was, “fighting words.“ The first amendment guarantees freedom of speech, but it’s a...
Read moreFootprints in the Snow
Snow in Atlanta is rare. So rare that if it sticks, it’s a city-wide holiday… I mean emergency. It snowed 1.5 inches Tuesday night, and as of tomorrow, Friday, our kids will be enjoying their third unexpected day off in a row. But...
Read moreConsider Your Protest, Consider Your Silence
Fighting injustice looks different for everyone. We have many avenues, many choices. Silence is the worst choice. Remembering, this week, those who have given their lives that others may experience more justice. “But let justice roll down...
Read moreCornbread … And Its Implications
My husband and I are a lot alike. We are both oldest children. We are both ENFPs. We were both campus ministers before we married. In fact, we like to say, “We liked ourselves so much, we married people just like ourselves.”...
Read moreWhen Your Valiant Efforts Aren’t Valiant Enough
When we put our home on the market last year, our realtor suggested adding “a little color” to the front of the house. It was early March, and we agreed. The daffodils had already come and gone, the azaleas were still a few weeks off, and the...
Read moreThe Greatest Book You’ve Never Read #3: No Graven Image, by Elisabeth Elliot
You may be familiar with Elisabeth Elliot. Perhaps you’ve heard of Jim Elliot, Elisabeth’s husband who was martyred in Ecuador in 1956. Maybe you’ve read one of Elliot’s many books, like Passion and Purity, Through Gates...
Read moreHow Sturdy are Your Shoes? (Ephesians Study, Lesson Eight)
When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians, he was likely shackled to a Roman soldier. Perhaps this provided some inspiration for his “armor of God” illustration (chapter 6). Along with armor, Paul encourages his friends in Ephesus...
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