Tag: bible
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Freedom From Fear
I have never understood the fascination people seem to have with being scared on purpose. I am not a big fan of haunted houses, horror movies, or roller coasters anymore. When I was younger I participated in my fair share of amusement park rides but as I’ve gotten older it has lost its appeal. I…
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Finding Family
Let’s be honest: most of us did not grow up in a house that looked like a Hallmark Christmas movie. (Although, I do have a good friend whose hometown could LITERALLY be the scene of one.) My husband and I both came from less-than-picture-perfect homes, think more dramatic reality TV than picturesque TV sitcoms. But…
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A Family Restored
I love the book of Ruth. If you haven’t read it in a while I encourage you to read it (or listen to it) this week. It’s the story of a family; an unconventional one. Those are my favorite kinds of families because it looks more like mine that way. In this story, Ruth is…
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Blood Is Thicker Than Water
I’ve heard this said countless times while growing up. If I was fighting or arguing with my siblings, or expressed anger at a family member, someone was always quick to remind me that “Blood is thicker than water. You’ll get over it, if only because you have to.” It makes sense, doesn’t it? Blood as…
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The Thorns In My Mind
I’m going to be honest, I can’t remember who on our blog team suggested the topic of mental health for this month. But whether by divine appointment or by coincidence, I’m grateful for the opportunity, because this conversation is long overdue in the church. I’ve long been an advocate for open and honest discussions about…
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The God Who Sees Me: Combating the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Care
Have you ever felt “unseen” in your struggles with mental health care? This is exactly how I felt as I walked with my mom through her mental illness. The unsolicited (and unhelpful) advice is often free-flowing: “You should get out more.” “Take up a hobby. I bet that will do the trick.” “It’s because you…
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Don’t Cry Over Spilled Water: Learning to Ask for Help
I’m sure you’re familiar with the phrase, “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” This idiom suggests that it isn’t worth the time or energy to be upset or dwell on the past. What’s happened has happened, and all you can do now is clean it up. This would have been great advice back on Sunday, January…
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He is Risen…Now What?
Easter weekend was wonderful. So much celebrating, so much beauty, so much goodness. And yet, I’ve been tempted to over-indulge in sweets and social media this week in my post-holiday slump. Have you ever experienced the emotional crash after a special day? All the planning and preparation leading up to a celebration, followed by the…
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Palm Sunday & Mermaids
Palm Sunday is the start of Western Christianity’s holy week or the week leading up to Resurrection Sunday. I specify Western Christianity because the Orthodox Church and many other Eastern churches celebrate at a different time in the Spring. This didn’t affect me as a native born Texan until I moved to the Middle East,…
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Anointing Jesus
“Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany at the home of Lazarus-the man He had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who ate with Him. Then Mary took a 12 ounce jar of expensive perfume made from the essence…
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