Tears are a funny thing; they visit in both joy and sorrow, falling from gratitude and grief alike. Flowing from reverence just as easily as repentance, they signaled the start of my summer sabbatical. As those initial tears paved the way for deeper contemplation, I was overcome with thanksgiving as I looked back and reflected over the years. This intentional pause allowed me to clearly see the threads of divine timing in my story, and the present brought rejoicing as I pond

It was a difficult school year. Unless you're a teacher, you may not realize the energy it takes to be everything to twenty or more active seven- and eight-year-olds, five days a week. Constantly hearing your name, answering endless questions, repeating yourself, resolving conflicts, and showing empathy while managing short attention spans is only the beginning. To have little hands pulling at you all day—knowing you can't meet all their needs, despite your deepest desires—dr

Many theologians believe that one of the reasons the Apostle Paul wrote the book of 1 Corinthians was to address "practical" problems within the local developing church in Corinth. How is the church of Corinth like the modern day church? There were many issues that plagued the church in Corinth, but I only want to address one - the role of women in the church. It seems to be the same problem that some in the Body of Christ - the 21st Century Church - are still having conce

My parents told me I had an encounter with the Holy Spirit when I was a child. Although I don't remember much about the incident - perhaps I should have asked them for the details - I vividly recall getting swept up in worship and twirling around at a church convocation. Dancing holds the power to be spiritual, cultural, expressive, and suggestive. We find the Bible's first instance of dance in Exodus 15:20, capturing a moment of pure celebration. After crossing the Red Sea

"But the father said to the servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.'" (Luke 15:22) One of the principles of Highly Effective People according to Steven Covey is "to seek first to understand, then to be understood." The story of the prodigal son depicts a son who lacked nothing yet who wanted his inheritance early. It is easy to dismiss this story as simply the foolishness of a young man. However, have you ever co

Have you ever traveled and immediately regretted packing too much? As women, we often have a natural tendency to overpack. Our daily lives are usually crammed with endless tasks. Whether we are managing demanding careers or fulfilling obligations to family and friends, it is incredibly easy to become unbalanced. Most of us have become like Martha—anxious and troubled about the many things we think we must do. Yet the Bible gently redirects us in Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be

Most of you have seen the images of the California fires on television or across social media this past week. It has been heart-wrenching...

The year 2024 was a time of disruption - socially, politically, physically, and spiritually. This year, I got caught up in things that I didn't realize could both capture and waste my time. I felt disconnected from my Source at times, but He was always there and faithful. Socially, I sometimes felt disengaged from the Body of Christ. The lingering effects of COVID isolation continued to change the landscape of opportunities within the Church. As I saw myself and others wande

As I first started reflecting on the year 2023, it seemed like there was very little that was different from the previous years. Then I realized in 2023, I saw more fireworks. Fireworks are usually a symbol of celebration or victory. They cause excitement and happiness. Although they are temporary, they are known to elevate people's moods and help them enjoy the occasion even more. The amazingly bright and brilliant colors that light up the night sky evoke awe and wonder. As

Have you taken a good look at your Bible lately? Many of the headlines that we see today across newspapers and social media are straight from the prophecies and Scriptures of the Bible. I believe that the Bible is the authoritative word of God given to men and women inspired and filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a divine book whose message is consistent across time. It presents both the good and evil of the past. It doesn't gloss over the difficult details, but gives us a

How important is your mental health? Taking care of your “mind” should be just as important as taking care of your body. With over one hundred billion neurons, the brain is uniquely complex. This mere three-pound organ controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger, and every process that regulates the body. In fact, because the brain is our chief operating center, it’s critical that we maintain it. I’m no brain expert or psy

What kind of works fill your days? Works are the hands-on deeds of service we extend to the world around us. For many, this looks like occasional volunteering or spontaneous acts of kindness. For others, it is a steady commitment to the vulnerable—the poor, the widow, the orphan—or to local and global missions. To understand the true value of our actions, we must look at the three types of works described in Scripture. The first category is good works. These are our active re

As I prepare to join forces and embark once again on a season of leading, serving, and equipping the next generation, I am humbled at God's faithfulness. An encounter with some young, passionate, and enthusiastic missionaries reminded me of a journey that God laid out for me fourteen years ago. As I was contemplating God's timeline, I discovered an article I wrote after a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2012. Its contents are still relevant for today. As I look bac

Watching the news may have you thinking about inflation, rising gas prices, and increasing food costs. However, long before these things...

There are so many messages that we can get from the "mess" that's happening in America today and around the world. Without a doubt,...

Sometimes disciples of Jesus have seasons of just walking. No leaping, no jumping, no running the race....just walking. We will soon...

It's the last day of 2021. Some would admonish you not to look back, but the entire Bible is a historical record that allows us to look...

We are quickly approaching a new year - 2022 is right around the corner. For many of us, the last two years (2020/2021) have felt like a...

As I reflected on the ongoing controversy surrounding the COVID19 vaccine this week, I was drawn to a short narrative set in the book of...