The Bible is full of commands to love. In Matthew 22, Jesus, when questioned about the greatest commandment, replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as … Continue reading When God Calls Us to Hate
Jesus
Sinful Top 100
Every so often, when I'm reading my Bible, a line will stop me in my tracks...and not in a good way. I love the Psalms and spend a lot of time in them; I find them refreshing and challenging at the same time, a helpful tool especially when I can't find the words to pray. … Continue reading Sinful Top 100
Is It 2023 Yet?
I don't mean to sound like a Debbie Downer here, but the start of a new year always depresses me. There's always so much build-up, so much hype and hope, like everything is going to be magically different the moment the clock strikes midnight on December 31. Okay, and maybe it is for a few … Continue reading Is It 2023 Yet?
The Risks of Prayer
Recently, over coffee with a friend, I learned of another friend who had suffered a heartbreaking personal tragedy. Not only was she suffering physically, but emotionally and spiritually, her grief was intense. I felt a stab of lament for her and assured my friend that yes, I would pray for our mutual friend. It was … Continue reading The Risks of Prayer
Thanksgiving Break
#wellnesswednesday is on Thanksgiving Break this week. As always, dear readers, I am most grateful for YOU, for making it possible to live my dream of weaving stories that honor and glorify God. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and readership over this past year. Looking forward to many more stories to come! And don't … Continue reading Thanksgiving Break
Valuable Pain
My ten year-old recently became a metal-mouth. That's right. He's officially joined ranks with the thousands of other adolescents across the years to embark on a journey of the orthodontic variety. I knew early on they were a distinct possibility. After all, I had braces as kid. My husband had braces. My sister, almost all … Continue reading Valuable Pain
Blurry Contacts and Spit Balls
I have had bad eyes my entire life. I've been in glasses since age 5, contacts since age 16, and a combination of both since my 30's. But, when COVID hit, I--like many around me--struggled to get an appointment to see my eye doctor. My usual 12 month hiatus between visits stretched into 16, 18, … Continue reading Blurry Contacts and Spit Balls
Harry Potter and Green Beans
I work really hard to ensure my kids eat healthy foods. Okay, I try to ensure my kids eat healthy foods. Both of them have inherited their momma's sweet tooth, but the rule is they cannot have dessert until everything on their plate is eaten. Even their vegetables. No, especially their vegetables. The other night, … Continue reading Harry Potter and Green Beans
The Sinful Exhaustion of My Heart
My ten year-old fights sleep. As an infant, he went down without so much as a peep. I rarely had to rock him, he never needed a pacifier, and, if he did cry, it was only because he needed a diaper change. Babysitters and friends would constantly gush, "You're so lucky! He sleeps so well!" … Continue reading The Sinful Exhaustion of My Heart
Peace in the Valley of Facebook
I have a love/hate relationship with social media. As a military spouse, I live far from my family, and most of my friends are scattered across the country. I love how social media allows me to still connect with them, stay engaged in their lives, and--let's be honest--share funny memes. As a writer, I love … Continue reading Peace in the Valley of Facebook