God’s splendor is a tale that is told.
Ancient Jewish culture had this marvelous practice of “shmita” (שמיטה), which literally means to “release” or “let go.” Everything they did fell under this seven-year cycle. Going into it, agricultural land lay fallow, and at the end, debts were forgiven and slaves were freed. It was a year-long sabbatical for life, mirroring God’s rest on …
Like most people, I wrestle with my Calling. The capital-C sort that God gives you before you’re born. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear what my Call is, but contrary to what I believed before I knew, knowing hasn’t actually made anything easier. In some ways, knowing makes it harder. Because when you know your …
This is not about platforms, organizations, agendas, or performance. This is about all of humanity getting free from sin. Our liberation is bound up together.
Sabbatical (noun): from the Hebrew agricultural term “shmita,” referring to a year-long break from working the land to allow it to rest and heal in God’s care rather than man’s. I have never successfully returned from a sabbatical. Every time I’ve taken a break from writing, whether personal or self-improvement or fiction, it’s ended up …
This Sunday is anything but still around here. Not only are we celebrating Mothers Day pandemic-style, but it’s also my daughter’s 4th birthday. Dang moveable holidays. I confess part of me is annoyed. My flesh wants a day just for me! Momming during Covid-19 is harder than it’s ever been, and it’d be nice to …
Raise your hand if you’ve ever had your pupils dilated at the eye doctor. Isn’t it just the worst? Ugh. But check this out. So during the test, they drop an irritant on your eye to widen the pupil and let in the maximum amount of light, letting them see deep inside and check the …
This is me. This is how I pray. It’s how I prayed for two years, actually. Scurrying to the secret place and writing longhand every morning through intense soul-pain, repressed emotions, and life changes, tears of rage and gratitude dried in the margins. I stopped last December after a major revelation brought closure to issues …
As the news escalates, a previously-rare thought is surfacing more: I don’t want to be the grownup. I don’t know what I’m doing! I don’t know if it’s time to wear masks to the store or for my husband to shower when he gets home. I don’t know how to explain that the mall, …
What do you do when the words don’t come? When your heart is burdened and breaking and you close your eyes to pray but nothing comes out? What then? Anything. Scream.Cry.Babble.Laugh.Breathe. Sing.Dance.Build.Paint.Write. Prayer isn’t about the words you say just like worship isn’t about carrying a tune. Your entire life can be worship; your entire …
If you must weep today, make it for joy. For this day that marks the end of death and sin.
Yesterday on our walk, my daughter casually mentioned she’d been praying the night before. “That’s great, baby. What did you say?” “I prayed that I don’t want to go to Heaven yet.” Every parent just got the same icicle in their heart that I did. I asked why she thought she might go to Heaven …
Anyone else feel like they’ve been grounded? Like God told the whole world, “Go to your room and think about what you’ve done”? This past week, a theme has emerged. Nearly everyone I’ve talked to is halfway enjoying their enforced rest, halfway freaking the eff out because of all the STUFF it’s bringing up. Control …