(This post was originally published on the Baptist Churches of New England’s blog on October 18, 2022. You can find it here.) If it's been a while since you perused Deuteronomy, I highly recommend a refresher. There are several surprises scattered like Easter eggs throughout. One of the most stunning expectations is this: "When a man... Continue Reading →
He heaves a sigh and rolls his eyes—again—as you pray over dinner. The church doors open, and you step in alone. Hearing about how other couples read their Bibles together over coffee makes you tear up. Spiritual singleness is a painful reality for many wives. Could God have a plan even for this? How might... Continue Reading →
I'm a serial dater. Technically, I've been dating the same man for 12 years now, but that qualifies, right? I think I'll always be a fan of date nights. There's just something about a hard stop in the middle of the week that is both comforting and exciting. No matter what, come Thursday, Riley and... Continue Reading →
"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 →
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. (Ephesians 5:22-24) Few... Continue Reading →
Brace yourselves, friends: wedding season is here! One of my favorite parts of ministry life is helping starry-eyed couples prepare for their big day (and the years that will follow). While it's tempting to place a huge focus on the wedding itself, there are some personal investments you can make to grow your soul between... 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 →
The pastor proclaimed triumphantly, "You may kiss the bride;" just as the new couple commenced their long-anticipated Hollywood movie moment with the swelling music and admiring onlookers, the three-year-old ring bearer with a buzz cut—my brother—cried out in a painfully clear voice, "EWWWWW!!!" Every wedding is unique and comes with its own set of stories... Continue Reading →
(My sweet friend Cassie Celestain interviewed me for her blog, True Agape, a few years back. She split the content into two entries—Loving One Another through Communication and Applying the Gospel to Marriage.) How long you have been married, and how did you meet? Riley and I have been married for five and a half... Continue Reading →
The Dwelling Place 