Fostering Fear….or Faith?

I don’t normally wake to crying at 4 am anymore. All three of our children sleep relatively well most nights.  Even Titus who, at 8 1/2 months is teething like a madman. However two nights ago Titus cried out a few times around 4:30 and I stared at the monitor in mild panic. Panicked, not

Our One Mission and The Battle To Fulfill It

I was blessed to be asked to share some thoughts at our church’s Women’s Missions Tea again this year (read about last year’s here).  With three kids under five this time around, and one of them nursing with so many food intolerances I was down to a diet of about 5-7 foods, finding time and

Missions for the Glory of God

This afternoon I had the privilege of sharing a short devotional with women from all generations in our church as we gathered for lunch and to hear about 4 different ministries our church family supports prayerfully and financially. I was asked to share why missions matters in 5 minutes or less…a task well suited to

Advent away from Home

Last year, at this time, we were asked over and over, “are you going to home for the holidays?” “Is your family coming to visit you?” “Are you sad you’re so far away this year?”  My answer was a pretty confident and content “no” to all of the above.  Maybe it was because we had

A year in the Old Testament

I just finished reading through a Chronological reading plan of the Old Testament. Before I begin the New tomorrow, I had a few thoughts. Malachi is obviously the last book in the OT. It was written about 100 years after Zechariah and Nehemiah. After the latter books, the Jews thought the coming of the Messiah

When conflict needs to happen…

    Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you,        and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.    For the LORD is a God of justice;        blessed are all those who wait for him.    For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely

Spiritual Growth and Better Bible Study

There are a few notes I’ve kept on scraps in my Bible for a couple months, and have found looking over this wisdom frequently has really helped me in my walk with the Lord.  The first little note is from a note I read by Paul Tripp.  I think the basis was how to be

And the search is on…

We are in a strange season of life.  James is interning with our church as he is getting a seminary degree online through Liberty University. And we have officially started the job search process…what a weird process, especially for someone called to ministry as a pastor.  Basically we’ve sent out an email to friends and

Happy Easter

I really love Easter. As I grow, it is quickly becoming (one of) my favorite holiday(s).  Well, truth be told, I love all holidays.  I can’t wait to be the family that seriously celebrates everything. Happy Columbus Day anyone?  🙂 But celebrating the reason for our Hope fills my heart with absolute joy. I read

Community

My husband, James, and I have been attending a church for a few months now, and have been given the opportunity to lead a small group of 4 other young couples…Even after meeting twice, I feel challenged and stretched.  Last week was just dinner at Old Chicago to kind of get to know each other,