I didn't find Jesus in the pages of a Beth Moore Bible study. I didn't find him in the countless hours I spent trying to really believe in everything I said I believed in. I didn't find him in the two ministry degrees from my Baptist university on the hill. I found him when I … Continue reading Losing my religion and finding Jesus
life
Turning 30, losing myself, and finding my tribe
I waltzed through my life until age 28 thinking I had it all together. I'm not quite 30, yet, but it's taken me until 30 to not care that I didn't have it all together. Wait. That's not true. 28 was when I started to tear everything down so I could build it back up … Continue reading Turning 30, losing myself, and finding my tribe
Love that goes before
We create space for things that matter. A favorite picture to hang on the wall or place on the desk. A new book that needs a place to live on the shelf. A new pair of shoes. That's why people turn home offices into nurseries for their new baby. That's why we save seats … Continue reading Love that goes before
Year in review. Or something like that.
Do not trouble your hearts over much with thoughts of the road ahead. Maybe the paths that you each shall tread are already laid before your feet, even though you do not see them. -- J.R.R Tolkien This year was my most favorite Christmas Eve, ever. There have been lots of Christmas Eves for sure, … Continue reading Year in review. Or something like that.
With the dawn of redeeming grace. . .
Redeem: compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something; gain or regain possession in exchange for payment. Before the birth of Jesus, the idea of redemption without cost to the person seeking redemption was unheard of. In order to atone for their sins, people would have to make a sacrifice for their unintentional sins (or, … Continue reading With the dawn of redeeming grace. . .
30 Days of thanks
I'm really rotten about keeping up with something for 30 solid days. I'm sure there is merit in being mindful about something you're thankful for every day, but I try to be mindful even if I don't post or share about it. So, here's a non-inclusive list of the things for which I am thankful: … Continue reading 30 Days of thanks
Leave a light on
I was sitting in church today and was very suddenly very overcome with emotion. It was vacillating between gratitude, assurance, and restlessness. Gratitude because not long ago, I was more than willing and ready to walk away from the Church. I was done. I was done, but God was not. I saw firsthand that he could … Continue reading Leave a light on
We get better.
“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.” -- Kurt Vonnegut I feel like every month that inches … Continue reading We get better.
The words left unsaid. . .
"Tears are words that need to be written" -- Paulo Coelho I feel like there are words, or more appropriately, feelings that are clamoring to get out and onto the blank space, to fill the void. And yet, there are none. There are none that can adequately convey what needs to be said. Maybe the … Continue reading The words left unsaid. . .
Until lambs become lions.
On January 19, 2015, I wrote my most read blog ever. (You can read it here, if you'd like) For what it's worth, I don't write to be read. . .at least not yet. I write because I can't not write. Anyway, this post was extremely personal and essentially kick started a year-long journey of … Continue reading Until lambs become lions.
The Messy Faithful 