What They Want You To Ask Them About
Today in class, I asked my new favorite Name Game Question: What question do you like people to ask you? I learn so much. I learn who wants me to ask about what factors make for a good Hip Hop artist, about her fascination with criminals, about his puppy at home, about her love of […]
Make It Symbolic. Make It Mean Something.
I’m often motivated to do something I don’t want to do if I can make it meaningful or symbolic. For example, on Tuesdays, I wash the sheets and pillowcases to freshen the beds. It’s tedious to remake these beds. But what if the act of remaking my daughters’ beds became a meaningful way to pray […]
Ingredients You’ve Never Tried
I’m attempting a Jackfruit Jambalaya. I love trying new things and experiencing something fresh. I’ve never in my life cooked with either Jackfruit or Creole seasoning, so I’m particularly excited. When you’re in a rut and want to spice things up (literally), try some new recipe with ingredients you’ve never tried or maybe never even […]
“Everything Serves to Make Us Grow in Love.”
Today I read a beautiful and freeing quote from French writer Rev. Jacques Phillipe (someone recommended to me years ago by my wise counselor). He writes this: “Yes, we know suffering and sorrow, but everything that happens serves to make us grow in love and in the fact of being God’s children. What happens and […]
“You Won’t Hear Me, But I’m Working.”
I’m apologizing to the United Customer Service Representative as I shake with the phone in my hand. They’ve canceled my flight back home, and after an already exhausting and stressful trip out, I cannot imagine how I’ll make it emotionally if just one more thing goes wrong. I’m fighting back tears and anger. “I’m so […]
50 Reasons to Read Your Bible
I mention that I once made a list of all the reasons I read my Bible every day. Some students at a Cru event last night asked for my list, so here you go! 50 Reasons to Read God’s Word Awakens and builds faith (Romans 10:17) Leads us to Jesus (1 John 5:13) “Thing things […]
You Can Do It!
With my flight delayed because of fog in Pennsylvania–and a resulting missed connection in Washington–I did the unthinkable for me: I rented a car and drove to Baltimore to catch my flight to Raleigh for a speaking event. Yes! It was crazy, a race against the clock, and very uncertain, but here I am, at […]
Turning Uncertainty to Faith
I’m reaching the point in my life where I’m OK with more and more uncertainty. I can now reframe fear and anxiety into faith and curiosity about how God will arrive with His presence, power, and provision. I think about Hebrews 11:6 as I embark on any new thing: “Without faith it is impossible to […]
A Walk Through the Marsh
10 Promises from Psalm 18
Psalm 18 has completely disintegrated in my Bible because of how much I’ve read it. I credit this Psalm–and the Lord’s promises in it–as saving my life in graduate school and beyond. Now, I listen to an audio version or read it online when I’m at that point in the Psalms. As I listened this […]