Seeking After You
Sometimes a student will miss a class or two. But if a student misses several classes without contacting me, I go into this investigative mode. I email. I ask other students. I check his or her social media accounts. I contact the advisor. I go where I think they have a part-time job. Where are […]
Keep Learning.
Today I joined a group for new professors at Penn State who talk about teaching. I first thought I didn’t need a group like this. Did I even want a group like this? I’ve been teaching for 25 years! What else could I learn? Oh my! I learned so much in the first five minutes […]
The Joy of Reasonable Goals
My dreaded season of grading has begun. It’s the least favorite part of my job, but in order to offer students timely and relevant feedback, I offer grades with commentary soon after an assignment’s due date. This means I’m nearly always grading something. So today, I set reasonable goals. I might say, “OK, let’s grade […]
Making it Easier
My husband recently weeded around all the raspberry canes and then tied up the long stalks so I could better pick all the raspberries. Before this, the massive tangle of raspberries made it difficult; I practically crawled into a thicket to gather raspberries and endured pokes and scapes along the way. Weeds suffocated my legs. […]
“You Need to Meet Me”
At a recent speaking event for my Seated, Surrendered, and Sent retreat, a woman approached me and said, “You need to meet me.” “I do?” I said. “Why?” Other women around me parted to make space for this person. Was she famous? Was she in publishing? Was she a publicist or journalist? Was she going […]
Don’t Unravel
Sometimes I find that when a person experiences a hardship or bad news, his or her theology begins to unravel. Suddenly, God feels against them instead of for them (Romans 8:31). They begin to bargain with God or try to do better somehow to earn His favor, rather than living under the reality of Christ’s […]
“I See You”
Today my friend reminded me to encourage my husband and children by telling them what I see. I love the idea of texting or verbally telling people in my life what I see them doing that I want to congratulate, compliment, and honor. So many times we get stuck in attitudes of criticism, disappointment, advice-giving, […]
Saving Energy
During this season of my life, I’m learning to save energy. I remember my friend April’s life-changing advice to “live at 60%” personal energy capacity each day so you have reserves for unexpected conversations, chores, or events. We were walking our kids to school nearly a decade ago, and I marveled at April’s amazing capacity. […]
Writing about Evangelism for The Gospel Coalition
Today, I’m featured on The Gospel Coalition for an article on evangelism from Ashley and my book Sent: Living a Life that Invites Others to Jesus. You can enjoy the article here: What I Had Wrong About Evangelism
A Placeholder for Writing
As you know, I write a little something every day. I’ve been doing this for over a decade. Sometimes, I write insightful things that feel meaningful and well-crafted. Other times, I write just to do it, to fill the designated space. I highly recommend this. Get in the habit of writing. Make daily space for […]