Every year in late December or early January, I ask God for a word to encompass the next year. I don’t use this word like a fortune cookie, to predict the future, but actually as a mirror. At the middle of the year and the end of the year, I look up what my word […]
Sometimes God is kind to us and gives us a serious reality check. Today was one of those days. I came out of the restroom, and saw a beautiful woman with perfect hair standing there. Next to her, I felt dowdy. It is not uncommon for me to blurt what is on my mind, and […]
I’ve written extensively this year on the role of church. One of the foundations that sits in the background, but has not yet been expressed is the need for women in church leadership. The doctoral program that I am in has worked extensively on understanding the theology of women in ministry. Today I’d like to […]
This week I’ve been floored by how much of my Christian life is all about me. I’m certain that I don’t see this reflected in scripture, yet A huge number of my “worship” songs are about what God does for me. My giving has as much to do with the good feeling I get as […]
Yesterday I talked about self-identity. I’m thinking through this for a reason. I highly suspect that: Just as we tend to change careers every 7 years, we also tend to need to redefine our boxes (which means teens aren’t the only ones working on self-identity). When we are solely defined by what others think of […]
Many of us feel okay by setting a standard and meeting that standard. What do you use to make yourself feel okay? Some people define themselves by Family relationships Knowing and obeying all the rules Our mistakes and failures In John 8 Jesus and the Pharisees face off about how we define ourselves. Jesus suggests […]
Tonight, I get to share with the Calvary Christian Assembly women for the fifth week. We’ve been looking at the process of change (knowing what you are letting go of and letting go of it, redefining who you are without what you lost, and new direction) alongside Elijah’s life. Tonight we hit 1 Kings 19 […]
A few things have converged to bring this post about: I’ve heard an increased chatter on bivocational pastors – pastors who have a full time job, and a church. A friend and I had a discussion on how it is assumed that women with children don’t have the time or energy to do anything that […]
Some people hate to say “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong” Those aren’t my thing. It is easy for me to admit fault in those ways. However, even typing this next sentence is emotionally trying. I hate to say “I don’t know.” And, I’m married to a very inquisitive man. He asks questions – usually […]
Something is in the air. You can sense it on Sunday, you can sense it in the workplace. Even the vast drop in church attendance in the last decade is evidence. We can look at what is changing (technology, split families, recession) and find reasons why things shouldn’t change, or we can look for what […]