I had just laid my son down for bed when the storm started. This was no ordinary storm. This was a good, old-fashioned, Arkansas spring storm. A wild beast of a thing that could turn into a tornado at any moment. Thunder, lightning, window-rattling wind, hail and flickering lights. The kind of storm where meteorologists encourage the television viewers to tie down their trampolines. And maybe their cars too. I passed by Nate's bedroom door and could tell he was sleeping peacefully thus far, judging by his gentle snores, despite the chaos outside. Lightning flashed beyond his window, illuminating the…

In this present darkness, most of us feel oppressed at every turn. We sense spiritual forces battling it out. Good versus evil. Angels versus demons. Light against shadows. We've been taught to be good soldiers for Christ. Take up our cross and fight. Fight for truth. Fight for our children. Fight, well, for everything. Speaking the truth is always the right thing to do. We must speak what God has declared to be true, omitting nothing. But one thing most of us forget is this: truth never needs a defender. It stands on its own. That's what makes it truth.…

God's presence. How I long for it. There are days when I feel nearly desperate for it. For Him. In some ways, it's an odd longing. Didn't Jesus already promise He's with me until the end of the age? (Matt. 28:20) Absolutely. He said His Spirit is living inside me as a deposit of the promises yet to come. (2 Cor. 1:22) Yet, there are days when I don't always feel Him with me. I'm not alone. When I googled "God's presence" I racked up a whopping 37 million plus hits. If Jesus is with me and living inside me, why…

I’ve had to learn some things the hard way. After years of exhaustion, of disappointment, of hiding behind my masks, of dark depression, I’ve learned that people pleasing may always be a battle for me. A daily battle. It’s a lie that I believed for far too long—mainly, that approval and love are the same thing. However, as God has peeled back layer after layer of my masks and choices, He has helped me understand that approval and love are not the same thing at all. They are, in fact, polar opposites. I‘m finally starting to realize my worth in…

Our house was hopping this weekend. Teenage girls and giggling preteens were everywhere. Nate zoomed through the chaos in his normal Hulk-ish style. Movies, candy, tasting challenges, raucous laughter, Youtube videos, card games...there was noise coming from every direction. Most in the house had a blast...with the exception of our dog Sugar. Poor thing. She's ten years old. Far too elderly for whooping and hollering, high-pitched squeals and pounding feet. She's suffered enough living with Nate. In the middle of the bedlam, I moved to the kitchen sink to wash the dishes. Another shriek. A crash. A burst of giggles.…

Jesus wasn't calling. Okay, maybe not. Obviously, Jesus is still in the calling business. Hang with me here and I'll do my feeble best to try to explain my muddled thoughts. I have to admit it was quite a shock to realize all those years I spent doing and running, spinning my wheels and frantically trying to be a good, little Christian girl for Jesus weren't for Him at all. They were for me. When the truth hit, it slapped me hard. I'll never forget that night. Curled in on myself, sobbing on the mat of our bathroom floor into…