I love the beach. One of my favorite things to do when I’m there is to go snorkeling, especially if the water is really clear. I’m a science nerd so I love seeing sea life I’ve learned about in school. Our creative God has made...
I’m the master of starting something new. Whether work or play, I so often find myself caught up in the challenge of figuring something out. I research, reading everything I can get my hands on—for about two weeks. ...
Around this time of year, nine years ago, I had what I trust, Lord willing, will be my last second date. Although I can’t remember too many details about where we were or even exactly what we did, I know that it was around that...
My story is like many others I know—I was raised in the church. However, growing up outside the “Bible Belt” did allow me more wiggle room than many others I have come to know since moving to the South. ...
I hit the jackpot with a women’s small group last winter. What started out being a one book study on Biblical Femininity rolled into studying three additional books from winter to spring to summer with many of the same women. My favorite study by far...
Reading Philippians 1:1-11 brings tears to my eyes. Philippians 1:6 reminds me of my grandmother, Mimi. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”...
. . . 8, 9, 10! Ready or not, here I come! If I remember correctly, you hide and the point of the game is not to be found. This makes me laugh because most kids I have played with can’t stay hidden. They jump...
For the start of this new series, we have created a series page for Philippians that will be updated weekly with the worship songs from service, study questions from each sermon, background information on Philippi, lock screens for your phone, teaching videos, Scripture to memorize,...
As January 1 approached, some friends began to inquire about what my word of the year was going to be and to be honest I wasn’t sure. Last year my word was discipline, and there were so many praises to be thankful for!...
My sweet daughter turned one at the end of 2017, and that milestone has made me, not surprisingly, nostalgic. As I look back, there is no doubt that it’s been an incredible year, but the truth is that it’s also been a hard one. Motherhood...
The Bible positions the local church as the primary influencer for the gospel and good works in the community. As the local church, we are a rescued and redeemed group of unique people working together to serve God and serve others. In our family of...
I’ve spent time in a handful of countries, and it’s striking to me that, no matter where I am, interactions with people revolve around food. It doesn’t seem to matter how much or little a person has; when they want to demonstrate how welcome you...
I’m not a rescuer. Never have been—or at least I didn’t think I was. My parents didn’t rescue. They were “we pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps” kind of people and they raised my sister and me to be the same way....
As God’s people, we have been entrusted to share the good news of Jesus in a personal, compelling way. Although we are easily deterred by fears of this world, they are only temporary in light of our mission to share Jesus with others....
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of hospitality is from my growing up years, when my mom would announce, “Company’s coming! Time to clean the house!”. We would then slave all day making the house look like no one lived in...
Chemistry is the bane of my existence. For some unknown reason, I had the crazy notion in high school that it could be a good idea to take AP Chemistry. I spent the entire school year dreading that class, crying over the lab reports, and...
God calls us to be neighbors—to engage those around us with compassion. Hospitality is about more than welcoming others into our home; it is extending the grace we receive from God to others. ...
Have you ever listened to a song thousands of times and never really tuned in, but in a particular season listened to the same song and saw it as fresh revelation? Well, during this past Christmas season, that exact thing happened to me....
Over the past few years, the Lord has been kind enough to teach me through putting words in my life—usually by repeating them enough times that I can’t miss it....
God brings justice through reconciling us to Himself. Through reconciliation, we are brought into the Kingdom of Heaven, making us ambassadors of Christ while we are walking on this earth. As His representatives, it is our responsibility to bring His justice to bear in our...
I enjoy cooking. I don’t particularly have exceptional knowledge or skills in this area, but I can get a meal on the table with the general good disposition that comes from having enjoyed the process. Often I’m surprised by how many things I cook that...
New Year's may be one of my favorite holidays, but this year I feel like I tripped and face-planted into 2018....
The holidays are long gone and life should be starting to slow down again, right? The question seems almost ridiculous to ask in this fast-paced, do-it-now society we live in. Gone are my childhood days when we went to see grandparents or relatives on Sunday...
God reveals Himself to a world that doesn’t recognize Him, He redeems a world that is too bound by sin to hear what He is saying, and He extends hospitality to a people who are too broken to notice Him. How are you engaging...
Does my life have an eternal purpose? How am I being used as a tool for God’s Kingdom work? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? You’re not alone....