One thing I have been recently struck by is the passion of God’s hatred for sin. I’ve been reading through different portions of Scripture that are harsh, direct, and stinging in their dealings with sin. Nowhere do you find the current modern culture’s approach to Christianity, speaking only of love, tolerance, and acceptance. There is […]

Hey, Girl… It’s time to get your hopes up. High, high, high. As high as the heavens are above the earth. Because that’s how great your God’s steadfast love is towards you. I see you, girl. That shadow on your face that speaks of ruined dreams and crushed expectations. I feel as though I can […]

Satan is out to destroy us. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Nothing gives him greater pleasure than feeding the small doubts and lies in the back of our hearts and minds. We have to actively and purposefully fight against […]

There are moments that I don’t know why I am where I am. I don’t know why I’m at this school so far from my family, taking classes that often feel irrelevant; working towards a major I’m no longer certain of and a future I don’t know how to bring into existence. Moment by moment […]

Christianity Isn’t  ‘Insta Pretty.’ Picture this: A group of young women meet up for a Bible study. Upon arrival, each of them orders their caffeinated beverage of choice (in a mug, of course) as they scope out the coffee shop for the best table (near natural lighting, naturally). Once their Bibles, journaling Bibles and coffee mugs […]

I used to think that the Lord kept me away from high mountain tops out of fear. I figured He thought that I would love the view more than I loved Him. I would get half way up and think, “I’ve made it this far, but I can’t keep going. I’m too weak. I don’t […]

One of the consequences of living in the rural Midwest is the unmistakable backyard menace – the Canadian goose. My goodness, my desire for all animals to love me does not apply to this horrid creature. Geese are such strange things. They waddle their way into every free area, and set up camp. Not only […]

Who is God?  What is He really like?  How on earth is it possible to have a relationship with God? These are questions I struggled with for a long time.  No matter how much I wanted to know God (or wanted to want it), no matter how hard I tried to do the right things, I […]

The table is set. The candles flicker their warm light, the smell of baking turkey fills the house. The plates line the table, forks, spoons. Décor with red and orange leaves are at the center. Laughter and the sound of conversation wafts through the air. There are sounds of spoons and clinking forks touching the china. The […]

Philippians 4:6-7 says: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Be anxious for nothing.  How is that even possible? The plane ride over the […]

image source It’s an old worn chair, one I bought for $20 at a thrift store years ago. But it always sits in the corner of my bedroom, covered in blankets of all colors, surrounded by books and bible studies, lit a tiny desk lamp. And it’s where my days have been starting lately.  First […]

I grip the handle of the pitcher, a gift from my sweet cousin after her visit as a thank you for our hospitality. It reads simply, “Grace and gratitude.” I traced the design of the wheat, the dot pattern, and each letter, as if trying to remember. That day, I felt neither gracious nor grateful. […]

Why should I study the Bible? What’s the point? Why is it relevant? The bible is the LIVING WORD OF GOD. It’s full of life. It’s fluid, meaning that it interconnects in different ways and new revelation is always being given by the Holy Spirit. Somehow, after 2,000 years, we still don’t know everything about […]