I've been immersed in birthday plans this week. My son is turning seven very soon and has spent most of the month counting the days and weeks until he can have a party with his friends. I've got a piñata drying on my dining room table, cake ingredients on the counter, and a little boy… Continue reading A Different Kind of Birthday
Several years ago B.K. (before kids) my spouse and I hosted a "Singing in the New Year" party. We invited people to enjoy food, games, and offering praise to God as the new year ushered in. Out of the forty people we invited, only half showed up. We had a fantastic time and the twenty that showed up suggested we do it again the following year. The other half that didn't come said the invitation had not been sent early enough and they already had plans. It seemed a plausible excuse, so the following year, we sent out the invites immediately after Thanksgiving, requested RSVPs, and sent out a reminder about a week before the party. We still had a great turn out, but the people who didn't come the first time still didn't RSVP until a few days before, saying, "oh, I already had plans." If they already had plans, why didn't they send their regrets when the invitation was sent a month before? Oh, the sting of weak excuses...
We never like to address the inconveniences of parenting. We don’t like to tell expecting moms and dads, “Sleep now, because you won’t be sleeping for the next few years.” Or, “Enjoy that pre-baby vacation because it’ll be awhile before vacations are relaxing.” It all sound so “glass-half-empty,” doesn’t it? Here’s the reality: Raising children is inconvenient, but it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. When the Lord blesses us with children through adoption or birth, He has entrusted a young soul into our care for teaching, training, and affection. Your plans are going to be interrupted, and at what seems like the worst moments! How do we react to these interruptions?
Some would say blame-shifting is a popular trend these days. It does seem as though our society promotes this idea of abdicating accountability. Despite what we think, people have been making excuses since the first man and woman. Apparently, nobody ever likes to be caught doing something they shouldn't, or failing to do something they… Continue reading Why are you making excuses?
This idea of walking with God comes up again and again in the scriptures. Noah walked with God. Moses commanded the people to "walk in all [God's] ways." The apostle John commanded Christians to "walk in the light as [God] is in the light." The apostle Paul wrote "walk by the Spirit" and "keep in step with the Spirit." We know we are supposed to walk with God, but what does this look like in our lives?
In the aftermath of the mass shooting at Sutherland Springs Baptist Church, there’s been plenty of blame and finger-pointing. There’s also been something else: People mocking those praying for the situation. This derisive attitude toward prayer is nothing new, but it may stir up doubts as to the effectiveness of prayer or the power of… Continue reading For Those Questioning the Effectiveness of Prayer after the Sutherland Springs Shooting
"Mom, I need to get a zipper binder and headphones." "Dad, my teacher said my pencil box isn't big enough. I need another one" "Mom, I have to have a zipper binder too." My head was spinning. It was only the first week of school, and on top of the lengthy list of supplies we'd… Continue reading What Our Children Need Most
What do you do when your prayers feel ineffective? Maybe you've had this problem. Maybe you haven't. I'll be honest. In my time as a Christian, there have been moments of doubt as to the productiveness of praying because the enemy kicked me back down as soon as I stood up to fight. Imagine having… Continue reading When Prayer Feels Counterproductive
When asked, “Would you die for someone you love?” most would answer affirmatively. If you ask a Christian, “Would you die for Christ?” you will again get a hearty “yes!” And yet, how often do we fail to sacrifice our little wants, needs, and desires for our loved ones, our neighbors, and our God?
Some may ask why the resurrection is essential to our faith. Why can't we just believe Jesus was a good teacher and follow His teachings? Why does it matter whether He had divine power? If there was no resurrection, what do we have beyond this life? If there was no resurrection, our Savior has no… Continue reading Why The Resurrection Matters
