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
Writings
Jesus has Overcome
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
We Must Do Something
“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
On Grief and Identity
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
The Shepherd of My Life
Last week, my Bible reading plan took me through the final chapters of Genesis. I was listening to these chapters on CD as I attempted to drive to school Tuesday night. Going 25mph on a snow and ice-covered interstate, the words of Genesis 48:15 filled the tight space in the car: “The God who has … Continue reading The Shepherd of My Life
On Birthdays, and Jesus, and Relationships
On my walk around the lake last night, I was thinking about the past year and talking to Jesus about it. I had no idea that this year would impact my life in the way it came to. Nor that my soul would find such rest, life, and hope in the midst of such brokenness, … Continue reading On Birthdays, and Jesus, and Relationships
Do the Next Thing
With the beginning of a new school year, so many pieces of the past year have flashed before my eyes, with their own questions trailing behind them. How is it possible that an entire year has gone by just like that? After everything the past year contained—what deep grace is this to be in the … Continue reading Do the Next Thing
Fall Into Jesus
Grief reminds us that life is broken and sorrow reminds us that we are not whole. But we do not fall into despair. We fall into Jesus. We grieve hard and long. We mourn deeply and cry long. We feel the loss as close as the skin stretched tight over bone. Our faces are wet … Continue reading Fall Into Jesus
Dandelions
One can either see them as hideous, nuisance weeds or one can choose to see them as flowers the color of sun and hope. Either they are pepper shakers of seeds that will cause more problems in future years or they are vessels for a thousand wishes to be carried off in the wind. … Continue reading Dandelions
The Day In Between
In between the day we remember Jesus dying a brutal death on the cross and the day he rose from the dead, we have this day of silence. It was a day of brokenness, deep sorrow, and heavy questions. Outwardly, it looked like the devil had won. Wrapped in soft linen, Jesus’ body was buried … Continue reading The Day In Between
Down Here Looking Up 