Everyone Needs a Hype Squad
Everyone needs a personal hype squad, people who are in their corner cheering them on in good times and bad. As believers, we're called to encourage those in our circles who are rocking life and those who are struggling along.
No Time to Waste
What does it look like to make the best use of our time? We’ve only got 24 hours in the day, and most of us spend at least 6-8 of them sleeping. Work and caring for our families takes up a good chunk of the remainder, so there’s really not a lot left over when it's all said and done.
On Kings and Kingdoms
No matter how terrifyingly powerful and utterly destructive the kingdoms of this world may seem, they are nothing compared to the power of the Almighty, and though they may be allowed to reign for a little while, one day, they will all be brought low. There will be a reckoning, and they will pay.
Choosing Rest over Resolutions
I used to feel guilty about my lack of resolve on January 1, but the older I get, the more I'm learning that it's OK if the rhythm of my life doesn't quite match up with the rest of the world's.
Repeat the Sounding Joy
These days are wildly busy, and it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the holiday parties and shopping lists and special programs and Christmas parades and seasonal decorating and gift giving that fills up our days. Decide now (before things get crazy) to make this season a joyous one. Embrace the wonder. Marvel in the mystery. Repeat the sounding joy.
Abound in Thanksgiving
Did you know that the Bible is full of the simple command to give thanks? Over and over again, from Old Testament to New, in good times and bad, the command rings out: “Give thanks to the Lord. He is good. His love endures forever.”
Rejoice Always. Even When it's Hard.
Choosing to rejoice anyway is one of the most powerful things that we can do to fight back against the enemy (who would like nothing more than to see us a defeated). It's a declaration of faith in God's goodness and faithfulness, despite all appearances to the contrary, and it's always good for us to declare his praise. Especially when our weary souls need to be reminded of his goodness.
Beholding the Beautiful in the Brokenness
Sometimes the very thing our souls most need is to stop in the middle of the brokenness and dwell on a thing of beauty. To be reminded that for all that is wrong and broken in the world, there is also beauty and light and life.
The Simple Rhythm that Gives Me Peace
It's easy to taste and see the goodness of God out there on my back porch every morning. After a spring that was far busier than I expected or planned for, believe me when I say that I'm appreciating the gift of slowing down for a while.
What's so good about Good Friday?
It's a contradiction, really, to speak of Good Friday as good. It is, after all, the day that Jesus died, and we don't usually think of death as a good thing. When's the last time you saw someone jumping for joy after a loved one died? Probably never.
The Cross Finds You
Given the option between a life of ease and a life of suffering, I'll take the the easy road every time. Yes please to the good life. Hard pass on the hardship. But Jesus isn't like me. He knew what was to come, and he walked toward it with eyes and arms wide open.
A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine
Here lately, every time I hear the familiar chords of an old hymn at church, tears prick my eyes, and it's a real struggle not to ugly cry in the middle of the sanctuary. It's the darnedest thing. Given the sidelong glances she gives me every time it happens, I'm pretty sure that our youngest daughter is seriously worried about me.