A Holy Pursuit

A couple weeks ago Bryan and I were able to have a wonderful sleepover with our two nieces, Lily (4) and Violet (2). They are as opposite as they come, with Lily being very quiet and sweet, and Violet being every bit as loud and hilarious as she can be! Needless to say, it is always a good time being with them. On this particular evening of our slumber party we were eating dinner and told the girls that we had a surprise for them after they finished eating. Of course, they immediately resorted to a game of 20 questions, trying to figure out their surprise. After a round of questions and failed guesses from both of them, sweet little Lily exclaimed, "Is our surprise a big pile of dirt?!" Bryan and I could not contain our laughter as we explained that the surprise would hopefully be a little better than a pile of dirt.  As I tried to figure out why Lily thought a pile of dirt would be a good surprise for little girls, I was reminded of how our Father in heaven loves ...

It’s a new year which always makes me feel like I have a new start and can accomplish new goals and endeavors. I liken it to finishing a journal and starting a new one. Just such a good feeling! With this new year I am looking forward to going through some of God’s promises with you, and focusing on a different one each month. As I go through different challenges or hardships in life, it is the knowledge and application of God’s promises that keep me rooted and able to press on. I love studying more about God’s promises and how to apply them to my life and I am excited to embark on this new journey with you. So grab a cute mug, fill it with your favorite coffee or tea, and plop down in your most comfy chair. The first promise we’ll be studying is from Romans 8:28. This verse states, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”. What wonderful, encouraging, captivating words! For those who are in Chr...

If I’m completely honest, instead of sitting down with a nice mocha or cup of tea, today I’m partaking of TheraFlu and EmergenC. What a blessing that my lack of a voice doesn’t affect my typing fingers! In addition, what a wonderful blessing to know that God never suffers from laryngitis. He will never have something that needs to be said and yet, be unable to speak it. The question is- will you listen when He speaks? On another note, who else loves to create an annual Christmas newsletter or special card to send out? I’m not kidding when I tell you that one of the things I most looked forward to about my first Christmas as a wife was being able to send out Christmas cards. Bryan successfully talked me down from the “newsletter family” ledge for now, although I still fondly remember my mom asking me to give her the highlights of my year so she could include them in our family newsletter. Regardless, I guess it’s cuter to read about a 5-year old, rather than a 25-year old. This yea...

I recently had the privilege of reading the devotional book, “Wife After God”, by Jennifer Smith. I began reading this book primarily as a scholar and critic. I did not realize how much this book would challenge and encourage me as a wife, and as a woman of God. I expected this to be a typical devotional book focused on the seeming impossibilities of Proverbs 31, or something like that. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the depth and practicality of this book and author. It was beyond what I expected. Smith begins with a look at the historical significance of women. Doing so gave a very solid foundation for the rest of the study, as a woman’s purpose for being created was discovered. God gave us a great glimpse into the purpose of creating women when he formed Eve, and in the subsequent and preceding verses about how man should not be alone and how they should have a creature suitable to stand with them and be their helper. Building on that, Smith goes into very practical stu...

I don’t really follow basketball much, nor do I care to. In fact, I don’t care to follow much about the sports world. I would much rather be playing a backyard football game, a pick-up game of basketball (which I readily admit I am not very good at), or some sand volleyball, than sitting in front of the TV or computer watching someone else burn calories. However, I do greatly appreciate the physical stamina and raw talent that I observe during the occasional sports-watching evening, and I do love spending time with my husband watching an occasional game in person. I recognize that athletes are not only gifted in their sport, but also very driven in their training. I played volleyball from Jr. High through my freshman year of college at MBI, so I get that it takes dedication and heart. However, like I said, I would rather be playing than watching. With that said, when all the hype surfaced about Lebron moving to Miami four years ago, I was rather entertained simply because my then ...

“But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head” Psalm 3:3. In the midst of tumult and discouragement I am quick to ask God “why”. Why do I have to do this? Why now? Why me? Why does this have to be so hard? For the record, I get that life is hard. I get that ministry is challenging. I get that this is all part of my sanctification process. I get it. But I still don’t always like it. It is so easy for me to be self-focused during these times. How I’m not getting what I want. How I don’t feel like serving. How I want it to go my way. It is in these moments that I get a glimpse into my own depravity. God, in His rich mercy and love, allows me to catch a glimpse of my ugly heart (and trust me, I’ve been seeing a lot of ugly recently). But He doesn’t stop there. God doesn’t leave me with the worst ever taste in my mouth. No, He has been bringing to my mind, rather consistently, the sweet, satisfying words of Psalm 3. “But you, O LORD, are a shield...

Easter has always been a pretty big deal for my family. We would always have a special outfit to wear and a big lunch together, then my parents would hide Easter baskets, filled with wonderful treats, from my brother and I. Mom never lacked creativity when filling our basket, and dad never lacked creativity in hiding them. Oh, did I mention that there was a time or two during my younger years when mom would create matching Easter dresses for her and I? And one year dad hid Jordan's basket on the roof? Yes, Easter was very special. With that in mind you may imagine my disappointment when I asked Bryan what he was going to wear for Easter Sunday and he replied, "I don't know. Whatever I pull out of the closet that morning." He obviously didn't know what a big deal Easter duds are (at least to me). Regardless, I moved on and settled with trying to create my perfect Easter outfit with what I had in my closet.  A few days later on the Thursday before Easter, I...