The dream lied buried deep in their hearts. For they held onto it…year after year. Praying. Hoping. Believing. Surely, the gift of life does not seem too much to ask. Does it? And then it happens. God announces that the dream has been freed from it’s deeply burrowed place. “The Lord took Abram outside and said, “Look […]
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The "Let Us Verses": Why We Can Approach the Throne
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with us in our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all these things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help […]
The "Let Us" Verses: How Biblical Narratives Become Walking Companions
I cannot pinpoint the exact moment, but at some mile marker along the road, I realized life is hard. It did not resonate with my childhood expectations. I had not yet developed a full vision of the life that lay before […]
Regarding Mental Health: How the Church Can Be Supportive
T This piece was originally posted on http://forum.covquarterly.com/how-can-the-church-be-supportive-a-response-to-amy-simpson/ in response to an article published in The Covenant Quarterly. Amy Simpson’s article, “Supporting Families Living With Mental Illness” resonated deeply with me. Her story speaks of a journey that many walk in silence; one with which I am all too familiar. I am ordained in the […]
Why Changing Our Expectations Results in Blessing Others
As I watched my youngest graduate from Junior High School, my heart was torn. It was not for the reasons you might assume. While I felt joy in the celebration of these kids (many of whom I have known since preschool), I wrestled with the sadness coming from witnessing behaviors minutes before which have become […]
What We Have in Common With the Thief on a Cross
“I tell you the truth. Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Words uttered by a dying Jesus to a man who is actually guilty of his crime. Who does he think he is? This man; the recipient of Jesus’ promise of joining him in His Kingdom. He is , after all, a […]