"The strength of a man is first a soulish strength—strength of heart. And yes, as he lives it out, owns it, inhabits his strength, he does become more handsome. More attractive. As the fruit of an inner reality." (John and Stasi Eldredge, Captivating) Rear end wearing out the same pew for most of my childhood,... Continue Reading →
Self-care has been weighing on my mind like a quick-ripening fruit recently. John Ortberg's Soul Keeping and The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner sit dog-eared nearby. Small pockets of peace wait around my home—a facial mask, some doodling pens, the Bible study I'm loving entirely too much to not be considered a nerd. Bits of... Continue Reading →
June poured in with swollen clouds and full-blown blooms on the rhododendrons out front. Ice cream shops have thrown their doors wide open. Golfers rejoice, my husband leading them with wild whoops. Girls laced in white float down church aisles across the nation. All this beauty birthed out of waiting. As we inch our way... Continue Reading →
"We all go up on the mountain and turn into wilder versions of ourselves. It's why we go: to be unleashed from everything that has a hold on us." (Jilllian Lukiwski) I'm knee-deep in one of the busiest seasons I've ever known. Deadlines, responsibilities, new chances to minister love to the neglected. While the load... Continue Reading →
Watch National Geographic for any decent amount of time, and you'll discover a kingdom truth: isolation kills. The zebra that strikes out on his own is easy pickin's for that cheetah. And a planting wife with no support network is a prime target for the enemy of her soul. Solomon understood that there's strength in... Continue Reading →
(Announcer's voice:) "She pitches the ball to herself! She hits it and runs the bases! She catches the ball and throws it! She chases herself! She's OUT!" How weird would it be to go to a ball field and see a one-woman show? Nobody expects that. We all know that when we show up, there... Continue Reading →
"Morning, everyone! It's nice to see so many of you interested in this class. Don't worry—orientation will be quick. There's no syllabus. Show up as often as you feel like this semester. We'll have an exam at some point that will involve a lot of material we may or may not have covered. I'm not... Continue Reading →
"If you feel lonely, turn off every light in the house and watch a horror movie. Pretty soon, you won't feel alone anymore." (Pinterest meme) Since confession is good for the soul, you should know that I was scared of the dark until my mid-twenties. A full-time pastor's wife with a college education sleeping with... Continue Reading →
I used to be scared to death of death. The worst-case scenario would play out in my eight-year-old brain: I'd show up at Judgment Day and get a scowl and the boot. I'd then be led off to spend eternity writhing in agony with worms and flames and demons, trying to figure out how I... Continue Reading →
May is a month of fresh pink blooms, open-air farmers' markets, and celebrations of mamas. Let's move into this season with eyes peeled for the glory of God; there are so many places to find it. Here are a handful of my personal favorites at the moment that I suspect you'll love. Some May gifts... Continue Reading →
The Dwelling Place 