Once upon a time, there lived a very good king in a very good kingdom. He loved his people, and his people loved him. They enjoyed abundance and peace for many years and were protected from darkness by a high wall with a strong gate. But one night, despite the only law, someone unlocked the... Continue Reading →
Since moving to Putnam, I've had more chats over coffee (well, hot cocoa, anyway) than I can count. This is one of my favorite parts of ministry as an introvert. I get to skip the typical small talk and dig deep one-on-one about what really matters: people's hearts. Sometimes it's not at the coffee shop—though... Continue Reading →
Anyone who's ever tried to keep an orchid alive has quickly learned that this plant is a temperamental one. I don't think mine survived its first month. (I have since discovered that I can apparently only handle the little plastic greeneries that look real. Which is cool.) But if you can manage the perfect balance... Continue Reading →
The worst words to my 7-year-old ears: "It's naptime!" Oh, how I would cringe and move dejectedly to the absurd halting of my fun. My little brother and I would put away our toys or books or costumes and climb up into the arms of oblivion. Dumb bed. When I grow up, I'm never going... Continue Reading →
I find it beautiful how nature and truth mimic one another. It only makes sense because the Author of truth is also the Creator of all things, so He has quite the advantage. Regret is like the sea: it laps at your feet and can drown you if you're not careful around the currents. It... Continue Reading →
Winter is almost over! Despite the three alleged snow days showing up in this week's forecast (the unmitigated gall!), cold weather can only endure for so long. May this in-between season allow you space to pause and wait on the Lord, breathing in the hope that comes in the morning. Life is just as much... Continue Reading →
God has been teaching me a lot about liberty as I've digested Beth Moore's revamped Breaking Free study. She says, "I once believed only the spiritually lost were captives. God pried open my comfortably closed mind from the inside out . . . If anyone told me Christians could be in bondage, I'd have argued... Continue Reading →
Our culture has gone through a gigantic shift when it comes to openness about sex. My grandparents' generation could hardly whisper about it, but today, unless you're Amish, you can't go any significant amount of time without being boldly confronted by it via billboards, commercials, movies, music, magazines, social media, etc., etc., etc. I think... Continue Reading →
Since moving to New England, two months have been competing for my absolute favorite time of year, one of which is May. (If you're curious, the other is October.) And since it's a tropical 63 degrees right now smack-dab in the middle of February, it's easy to daydream that spring is really here. I'm a... Continue Reading →
(from your church planting sister who has been keeping a spot warm for you) Winters are loooooooong here. (There’s a reason they call us the Frozen Chosen.) Give yourself permission to make whatever adjustments you need to in order to deal with the cold and dark. Ideas: buy a new devotional that you’ll only break... Continue Reading →
The Dwelling Place 