I am known by a lot of titles—school counselor, friend, church member, therapy dog handler—but the one that is my favorite is “aunt.” I always viewed this as a substandard title compared to “mom” until I went to an Ezer conference. ...
There is a flattering mirror in the gym that makes me look like I don’t need to be at the gym. I have noticed it and while I usually avoid mirrors, I actually linger in front of this particular spot. I have believed its lies...
“I just need to see if you’re crazy.” A friend of mine said this to me one day as we were setting up a time to discuss what was going on in my life. ...
Summer is finally here. For students, it means freedom. No more class. No more homework, and no more responsibilities. For those of us out of school, it means going through the same routines, but the only difference is now it’s hot....
They move towards the building, some running, holding bags or purses over their head, some quickly walking with umbrellas pulling against the wind. They splash through puddles, not noticing, as their shoes are already soaked through. The rain comes in sheets, and they don’t care...
That Saturday was one of those days where I questioned everything. It was an introvert day I needed, but the scary kind where I didn’t want to be alone and also didn’t want to be with anyone....
As a child, the first songs that I remember singing at church are “Jesus Loves Me” and “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” Each week in Sunday School, we would stand in a straight line and sing those two songs. Then the teacher would remind us...
My friend said, “You know everyone.” I had heard that before while I was out with other friends, and it does feel that way sometimes. I have worked in the same community as a school counselor for over 25 years and been a member of...
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...
There is no question that Jesus calls us, as His followers, to serve others sacrificially and to make disciples. How obedient are we to that call? We choose to “engage” in many things— hobbies, relationships, exercise, getting ahead at work, our comfort or leisure. Are...
Discipline has never been my forte. I prefer to identify as free-spirit driven, or self-control challenged. I’m not one of those crazies like my best friend who pops eagerly out of bed at 5:30am when someone suggests a 10-mile jog (Why would you do that...
I think I came into Kairos misguided—with the expectation that I might have to give Grace Church . . . well, some grace....
It is evident today that in this Information Age social media plays a large role in many of our daily lives. On average, we spend 20% of our waking hours on social media, equivalent to one out of every five minutes. There’s no denying that...
When I think of what it means to be an Ezer, I see a face. None of the core capacities of our calling as women resonates with me more than that of inviting because of how simply but profoundly that face impacted my life....
I had always considered myself an open book; I was always “open” about my struggles and willing to tell anyone anything—that is, until my deceived heart convinced me that my struggles were now “too big” for me to ever fully expose in front of anyone....
When we pray, we speak or think in real, concrete language. How does God reply to us if He doesn’t use an actual voice; how can we be sure a “still small voice” or something similar isn’t just our mind making up what we desperately...
We use LinkedIn and Instagram to promote all of our positive attributes. Buried knee deep in the identity we broadcast to others, we often lose sight of our actual weaknesses and shortcomings. Yet, doing life on our own is an isolated and dangerous journey that...
I love stories. That is one of the many reasons that I chose to become a teacher! My favorite stories are stories that display how God works through the Holy Spirit and how important His timing is; something that might not seem right at one...
When Dan and Amy Johnson married and started attending Grace Church about five years ago, they knew that they wanted to become members and get connected. At that time, however, they had no idea the impact that community would have on their marriage and their...
As a young married couple, we didn’t receive much teaching or training in regard to marriage, especially a godly marriage. Our pre-marital counseling was provided by a grad student at our college campus, who at the outset explained that he had never had a girlfriend,...