Scrolling through Facebook produces a mixed bag of content – the everyday reports from your family and friends, the funny stuff that’s shared and reshared, the stuff that’s supposed to be funny but isn’t, the occasional offensive post, and the ones I like best – the inspirational words that speak truth deep into your soul. …
Rich Mullins’ Journey to Identity, Belonging, and Purpose
Two little words scrawled in bold letters before his name served as Christian singer Rich Mullins’ autograph, and now grace his tombstone: “Be God’s.” That simple statement served as both a powerful testament to his own identity and a compelling invitation to the recipient. For years Rich had struggled with his identity and with who …
Rich Mullins’ Journey to Identity, Belonging, and PurposeRead More
Here Am I. Send Me.
“Here Am I. Send Me.” These are the words Isaiah responded with to the Lord when He asked, “Who should I send? Who will go for Us?” I believe the willingness evidenced in those two short sentences is the same willingness God desires for the heart of every Follower of Jesus. He has a purpose …
Happy Valentine’s Day! You Are Loved!
On this day that celebrates love and that can sometimes feel like a judgment to those without a romantic partner, I want to remind you that you are loved without measure by the One who created you and died for you. He designed you to be who you are, and no matter if there are people …
More Than Enough
“You are more than enough You are here You are love You are hope You are grace You’re all I have You’re everything.” * I’d heard them so many times before, but these words practically reached out of my phone and grabbed me as I drove down the road. I sang along, and as the …
A Single Woman’s Extravagant Love
The word “extravagant” means “unrestrained” or “recklessly wasteful.” I think those terms adequately describe the love of a woman in the Bible who, out of deep gratefulness, broke an expensive bottle of fragrance and poured it over Jesus’ head in a dramatic display of her love and devotion to Him.[1] Those who were present started …
How to be Happy
My one and only ride in a hot air balloon was awesome. Drifting slowly above the earth as I peered over the edge of the basket at the countryside below gave me a perspective of the community I lived in that driving through it didn’t. While I couldn’t see the details of the houses, farms, …
Doomed to Loneliness, or Freed by Loneliness?
Loneliness is one of the worst emotions that humans experience. It is suffocating, it is demoralizing, and, at its worst, can shove a person over the brink to suicide. No wonder we try to avoid it at all costs, and desire that our loved ones never encounter it! But what if we realized it were …
Complete Devotion
We all long to be fully loved by those who know us completely. Such love provides us with affirmation, confidence, and freedom to be ourselves. If we are known but not loved we feel devastated. If we are loved but not known we feel insecure. But if we are known and loved we are naturally …
Free to be You – Dealing with Criticism
Criticism. We’ve all felt its sting. It indicates – to varying degrees – a lack of acceptance or approval of something we are, have said, or have done. In someone’s eyes we’ve not measured up. They’ve let us know, and it hurts. Criticism comes in various forms – directly and verbally, gently or not so …
What is God’s Theme for your New Year?
During these days before another year begins, I imagine most of us are dong a bit of reflecting as well as a bit of looking ahead. Looking back has some value if we are looking at God’s faithfulness to give us encouragement for what’s ahead. But I believe God wants us to mostly be looking …
Opening Our Hearts To Joy
I don’t know what your specific circumstances are, and whether this feels like a joyous time of year to you or not. I do know that many, many different circumstances can threaten to steal our joy – not just during the holidays, but every single day of the year. A holiday that is supposed to …
