The latest from my blog
I write on all sorts of topics such as Celebration & Wonder, Community & Discipleship, Intimacy with Christ, and Redemption & Grace. I share my random thoughts in Miscellaneous Musings.
I’m glad you’ve joined me!
Discernment or Judgmentalness?
I was 18 when I finally surrendered to Christ. You know what convinced me (although I didn't actually admit to myself that I was convinced until later when I'd discovered I had a new heart awakened to truth and joy)? It was that a couple of Christians were more...
On Election Eve (Don’t worry, it’s not a Political Post)
Sitting at a ferry dock in Cos, Greece, we made friends with a Turkish couple. She shared with us about her country (as we were readying to board a ferry to get there). She spoke of the freedoms they used to experience, and how they are losing them. She told us how...
Why Jesus Came To Israel (or at least part of the reason)
I had that conversation again yesterday (Well, it wasn't really a dialogue. I was just listening. But sometimes those are the best kinds of conversations.). The conversation goes something like this: I "don't believe" in God because... well, I'm angry at Him. If...
The Church Universal
When I first landed in Kathmandu in the summer of 2018, my jaw fell slack at the vibrant colors. My mind immediately went to the foundation stones of the Celestial City- jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase,...
Identity
Smiles and I just returned from a conference for those who work in the field of post-abortive healing... because, yes, that's a real need. Want to ask me how I know? At the conference, I heard a woman speak publicly (I think for the first time) about her abortion and...
300 Denarii or 30 Pieces of Silver
Mary generously gave a vial of perfume worth 300 Denarii (about a year's wages) as an offering to Jesus. In the next breath, Judas sold him out for the redemption price of a slave. (See Matthew 26:6-16) I marvel at Mary's gift. I think of how hard I often clutch...
The Majesty And Authority Of Christ Unveiled By His Miracles
If our lives had a mantra, one of mine would be "Christianity/Jesus/the Bible doesn't exist to fix our behavior, but to unveil the majesty of God!" (Though a glimpse of the Holy God really should make us want to rectify our behavior wherever it is harmful and...
Is Discipleship Being Overthrown By Google?
It's no secret that I adore 20-somethings. Maybe because I remember how hard it was and what a mess I was? Maybe because many of you are just starting your families, and I remember what it's like to try to figure it all and not have a clue whether or not you are...
Unity Worth Fighting For
A couple of weeks ago, I walked the main streets of Ancient Ephesus, the Agora (the downtown shopping district) on my left and the Theater where the city gathered to riot against Paul's teachings about Jesus' superiority over gods made out of stone and wood, on my...
Cleansing the Temple
As I was reading in Matthew this morning (because that's where I'm lingering these days), I stumbled upon the passage about Jesus cleansing the Temple of all the money-changers and those selling sacrifices (in chapter 21). But as I read it, I thought "I remember this...
Why Isaiah 43 Makes Me Weep
I am sitting on a friend's porch weeping. Why? Well, it depends on the question. I am sitting on a friend's porch because I am dog sitting for her. I am weeping because of Isaiah 43:1-7 and the glorious things it does to my soul. Some of you know my story. I'm...
Self-Denial, Coffee, and Easter
I wonder if everyone has a mantra, a philosophy that guides their life more than any other way of thinking? I wonder if others know what their guiding beliefs are? Something about writing a book, published or not, casts reflection and understanding on what your...
