A few years ago, one of the blogs I consistently read was by a woman named Kara Tippetts. Although I would never meet Kara, her words and life touched me in deep, lasting ways. Kara’s blog was about her journey with cancer, as a young mother and pastor’s wife. Her posts were hard, sad, and … Continue reading Grace, Jesus, and Kara Tippetts
Last fall, I skimmed through The Shack for a paper I was writing on the topic of the sovereignty of God. I went into that book prepared to disagree with much of what I read in those pages, as how could there be very much good or helpful material in a book that had such … Continue reading The Shack, Hurting People, and the Sovereignty of God
These past weeks I am finding comfort in Paul’s letters. Not only in the encouraging, joyful parts, but mainly the pieces that speak to his incredible suffering. Oftentimes, the encouragement is so closely tied to the sorrow as to be seen as the same thing—“sorrowful yet always rejoicing” (2 Cor. 6:10). Heavy sorrow and great … Continue reading Burning Lights in the Valley of Darkness
Nearly all of us know the scary feeling of everything around us seeming to fall apart or crumbling in on us. Relationships change through death, divorce, dysfunction, or distance. Finances fold or families are torn asunder. The job is yanked away or the move doesn’t materialize. Cancer or congestive heart failure come for the ones … Continue reading When Life Feels Fragile and Uncertain
Last night, I had the sweet privilege of painting a canvas, with two dear friends, at Kelly Gau’s studio. The template for a peaceful sailboat became a ragged boat in a rough storm. Dark sky, rough waters, and blowing rain completed the picture. But in spite of how dark it looks, there is so much … Continue reading Jesus has Overcome
“Oh, there will always be another time.” “Someone who is better able to answer their questions can talk to them.” These were my two thoughts for the longest time, and two thoughts I still struggle with. Not only do I feel woefully inadequate when I have gospel conversations with people who don’t yet know Jesus … Continue reading We Must Do Something
Four years ago this month, Bill Gothard resigned from his position with IBLP/ATI. The held-in breaths of thousands of us were finally exhaled. We believed that that era had finally come to a close. In the years following, not a whole lot was heard about him. Until Monday. Monday brought a new round of sorrow … Continue reading On Grief and Identity
