Featured

Fullness of Life Through Freedom in Christ

Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” 

If you’ve ever seen the movie Braveheart, the first image likely to come into your mind is  Mel Gibson’s blue painted face screaming, “FRRREEEEEEDDDOOOMMM!” as he rides into battle to bravely defend Scotland.  And if you’re a proud American, you likely proclaim that our country is great because it is free.  Our beautiful National Anthem even resounds this triumph with the concluding words, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”  No matter how many times I’ve heard it, those majestic lyrics are enough to bring me (or any other patriot) to tears.  

It’s amazing how much strong emotion is brought on by the word and concept of freedom.  And rightly so- for it is the inborn desire of every person to be free. We yearn for the ability to think, speak, and act without hinderance or restraint; to not be governed by a foreign entity; and to not be imprisoned or enslaved to any person or thing.  

The quest for freedom takes form in many aspects of our lives.  This is evidenced by advertisements aimed at helping us find financial freedom, or advertisements informing us how working at home allows freedom in schedule setting or travel.  We even seek freedom in our physical appearance, choosing clothing, accessories, and hairstyles that reflect who we are as a person. And when it comes to relationships (or even our appearance), we might lean into phrases like, “I’m free to be me.”  We go after freedom in every category of life because it brings relief, joy, and peace.  Some might even say freedom is the foundation for life itself.  

As much as I enjoy the freedoms of this country, or believe in the benefits of financial freedom, or value the right to self-expression and healthy relationships, the truth is, these are not the freedoms I really need.  They are the freedoms I love and enjoy…but they cannot save my soul.  

Galatians 5:1 tells us it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  This freedom is twofold: 1)Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are forgiven. Meaning, no longer can Satan (or anyone else for that matter) accuse us before God.  Our sins have been paid for in full, and for those who are in Christ, we can stand before God Almighty, uncondemned, covered in His grace. And 2) We are no longer slaves to sin; sin has been dethroned as our master!  Instead, we become servants to Christ. If you find this unsettling or confusing, take comfort in Romans 6:22 which says, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.”  

It may seem paradoxical, but a life lived in service to the Savior of the world is the life of true freedom.  There is no lasting joy to be had when we are in slavery to our sin- for this is a slavery that leads to death.  There is however, infinite and eternal joy found in living obediently to Christ- for this is a servitude that leads to life.  

Indeed, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  This freedom is the entire theme of this website as well as my book, Remade: Living Free.  I humbly invite you to join with me in the pursuit of understanding the depths of this freedom given to us by the God who loves us immeasurably.    

Holding Both

This world is certainly a mixed bag. Sometimes it’s hard to wrap our minds around the fact that beautiful sunsets and sandy beaches exist in the same world as hurricanes and earthquakes; that people call both stunning Victorian houses and slums, “home;” that we can simultaneously experience grief and gratitude. This is the reality of life on this planet. Yet, this bewilderment is nothing new- ever since the Fall of Man, man has been holding both the glory of God and the effects of sin. 

Though banished from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve continued to live in the same world as you and I- a world full of stunning sunrises, mountains, and community with others. They lived with laughter and joy. And yet, they lived as you and I in a world full of thorns and thistles and pain and sorrow. They knew the delight of being fruitful and multiplying and the anguish of a son perishing at the hands of another son. 

As followers of Christ, we know this tension all too well. We know that we (and the rest of mankind) are created in the image of God and that because of this, human life is of the utmost value! But we also know that we are sinful beings, who, outside of Christ, are enemies of God and completely undeserving of His grace and mercy. This, of course, is why the gospel is so astounding! As Romans 5:8 tells us, “God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” And though we rejoice that we are now righteous in Christ and justified by faith, we still groan in this flesh. We still live with our sin and the effects of sin in a fallen world. 

The truth is, we will continue to hold both until the return of Christ. On that glorious day there will be no more dichotomy: love will no longer reside alongside hate; friendship will not be contrasted with loneliness, nor grief with gratitude. Peace and joy will be known in and of itself, no longer to be shared with chaos, conflict, and tears. Happiness will know nothing of tragedy and lives ended early. No longer will beauty exist in the same space with anything foul. 

Oh, how we long for that Day! But what of our lives until then? How are we to live in the meantime? Here are 4 thoughts to help us hold both well: 

We acknowledge what is true. This means that we acknowledge the brokenness- the sinfulness- of both the world and of ourselves. We don’t have to pretend that evil doesn’t exist, and we certainly must never deceive ourselves by believing we are without sin. We must confront reality. We must let ourselves grieve, lament, and repent.

We focus our minds on the truth of the Gospel. While we acknowledge sin and suffering, this is not where our minds should set up camp! Instead, we are to fix our thoughts on the truth of the Gospel. Ironically, the reality of the presence of sin and a sin filled world should cause us to rejoice all the more in our salvation! When we turn our hearts and minds to the truth of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we can’t help but praise God for making a way to redeem our sinful souls. Even more, our hearts fill with hope in the present because we know He’s working all for our good. And still, hope abounds for the future as we know he will return one day to make all things new. 

We ask God to help us hold both. It would be foolish to think we could perfectly carry the realities of sin and a sinful world and the glory of the gospel. We simply can’t do this in our own strength! Instead, we must be honest with our Heavenly Father when we’re struggling. Tell Him when the earthly realities seem too much- because sometimes they are. Ask Him to give you the wisdom and courage to live in this world. Above all, ask Him to guide your mind to the love of Christ and the truth of His word.  

We hold out our hands to a broken world. If we are in Christ, we have no other option than to open our hearts and hands to those who are hurting. This takes many forms! We are to uplift, encourage, provide for, pray for, and share the gospel with others. As long as we’re living before Christ’s Second Coming, we will have endless opportunities to hold out our hand to a broken world. As a song I love says, “And I’ll hold out my heart, broken before, open the scars, open the door, and I will hope with my mind dreams unsure, wait for the day, the day I am pure, and I will love with my soul a world  that’s not right, I will lay down my life, I will lose the fight, and I will hold out my hand…in a broken world” (Keith Naylor, In A Broken World). 

Praise God for the Gospel and praise God that He never leaves us! These are the truths we cling to as we live in a world that is simultaneously full of God’s glory and marred by sin. I pray we will hold both well until He returns at last.

Serving God Through Motherhood

In preparation for our church’s upcoming Christmas series, “Luke’s Playlist,” I read Luke 1:46-55, Mary’s Song of Praise. Many know this as The Magnificat. As I dove into these holy words, I was struck by the way Mary identified herself as a servant of the Lord. This young woman was willing to serve God in whatever capacity needed. And in Mary’s case, she was called to serve her Heavenly Father by being a mom; by loving, nurturing, and caring for the Word made flesh. She served God through pregnancy and delivery- which is typically what our minds fixate on, especially at this time of year. But we can surmise that she also served through cuddles, rocking, feeding, teaching, bathing, kissing scraped knees, and laughing with and playing with her little boy. All of this got me thinking…

Though God gave Mary the unique opportunity to mother Jesus specifically, God has given us women the same opportunity to serve Him through motherhood. We too, serve God by loving and caring for the children He has given us and by raising them to know the truth of the gospel. We serve Him by being moms! Serving in any capacity takes humility of course, and being a mom is no exception. Ask any mom and she will tell you about the countless diapers changed, about how she’s been spit up on, coughed on, snotted on, and all the rest. Maybe she’s even held a cup full of puke in the car while driving around Louisville (or maybe that was just me?!). But as any mom can attest, all of the gross and lowly parts of motherhood are more than worth it. Why? Because it is a holy duty to bring life into the world, to train up children in the Lord. 

The Enemy has worked very hard to convince women in our world, especially in our American culture, that being a mom is second rate to a career and that staying home is somehow demeaning and oppressive to women. And yet, we see the high value God places on mothers. The Proverbs 31 woman, busy with taking care of her family and home, enjoys the most beautiful result: Her husband and children arise and call her blessed. And of course, Jesus didn’t just materialize out of thin air but entered the world through a womb. He then grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men- and Mary was a part of that.  All of this gives credence to a famous C.S. Lewis quote in which he said, “Children are not a distraction from the most important work, they are the most important work.” 

So moms, be encouraged that your work as a mom is valued greatly by God and that in bringing up children, you are serving Him in a mighty way! 

But let me leave you with this thought as well: He has called all women to give life- and not just physical life, but spiritual life. Every woman, regardless of having physical offspring or not, is called to bring forth life. I love how the book Girl Defined talks about this! Consider these quotes: 

“Producing life (boy physical and spiritual) is at the core of womanhood…It doesn’t matter if you are single, married with children, married without children, or past child-bearing age, the truth about your life-producing design can be fulfilled in every season.” 

“God gives us different gifts and callings. The gift of marriage is not given to every woman, nor is the gift of bearing children. It is not a given that every woman will marry, or that married women will be able to bear children. What IS a given is that all women are called to be spiritually fruitful. The Lord wants all women- including single and childless women and women past child-bearing age- to have a “household” and be the “joyful mother of children.” 

“When we, as women, choose to produce life (spiritual or physical), we imitate our Savior Jesus Christ. He chose to give up his life, so we as sinners could have eternal life. In the same way, when we give our time, service, and mentorship, we produce life as well.”  (From Girl Defined by Kristen Clark and Bethany Baird, 2016, pages 88-89.)

So, ladies of every age reading these words, we can all rejoice together that God has given us this most holy ability and calling- to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind and to serve Him as we produce life, throughout our entire life. 

It is Well

When sorrows like sea billows roar. What an accurate description of the trials we face at times in life. And yet, to the author of this great hymn, Horatio Spafford, this phrase was quite literal. On November 22, 1873 his four daughters, passengers on the Ville du Havre, were drowned at sea when the ship collided with another. His wife alone survived the ordeal and Horatio immediately set sail to join her in Wales. The night his ship passed the location where his children had perished, he found it very difficult to sleep. He finally said to himself, “It is well; the will of God be done.” He later used these words to write one of the crown jewels of any hymnal, It is Well with my Soul. 

It’s hard to comprehend a loss of that magnitude, and yet I write of Horatio not to minimize what you or I may experience, but to demonstrate the power of our God. For only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we rejoice in the face of such unimaginable grief. Throughout Scripture, God has given us wonderful examples of this. 

Paul and Silas were certainly no strangers to suffering. Acts 16:16-24 recounts how these men were beaten and imprisoned for doing the work of the Lord. But rather than moan and grumble as I would likely have done, they prayed and sang hymns in the midnight hour while shackled in their cell. Oh how the grace of God was with them!

And for Job. How did he fall to his knees and worship after the loss of his property, possessions, and most of all, his children? How could he utter the wise and truth-filled words, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Only through the Spirit can worship be a response to such unimaginable physical, mental, and emotional pain. 

Truly, it is the power of the Spirit that strengthens our hearts and brings to our remembrance the words of God. As we see in Horatio’s second and third verses, the Spirit directed him most of all to the gospel. Let your heart absorb the beauty and hope of these lyrics: 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

let this blest assurance control:

that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

and has shed his own blood for my soul.

My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

my sin, not in part, but the whole,

is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;

praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 

Though grief is the right and appropriate response to sorrow and great loss, these glorious lyrics remind us that gospel centered thoughts are what should control our minds. As The Lord through Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about these things.” Certainly, the gospel is the best object of that verse and the only thought able to give true peace and comfort.

When sorrows like sea billows roar- and they will roar- we can be assured the Spirit will direct our minds to the truth of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. To the glory of God, come what may, that truth remains unchanged. Because he has shed his own blood for our souls, we can say, “It is well.” 

Heart Direction

The last time I wrote was in May of this year. This marks the longest stretch of non-writing since I started writing in 2019. As I type these words, I feel anxious and uncertain. Do I remember how to do this? More concerning yet, do I have anything to say? Oh, and then the dread of where to start… 

So I will start with something real. At this present moment I feel physically tired. It’s been a busy fall, full of wonderful things. Things like cross country meets, golf matches, Friday night football games, and marching band contests. Full of time with friends and family and church.  And work. And cooking, laundry, and grocery shopping. It’s been a lot but it’s also been good. As this hectic season winds down, I find myself feeling sad because it’s over, but oh so grateful that it happened. 

I suppose I should mention that while there has been much to rejoice over, there’s been some hard moments to swallow as well. My heart has been grieved by change and heavy with the burdens and sorrows of others. Sometimes it seems there is just so much to lift up in prayer. 

Needless to say, the totality of the season has left me feeling as though I need a good week’s sleep. And while sleep will come (and undoubtedly be helpful) I think the real action needed now is prayer. But how (or for what) should I pray? For all of the changes and emotions present, I think I will turn my attention to the prayer of 2 Thessalonians 3:5: “May the Lord direct your heart to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 

This simple prayer reminds me that whether I’m tired, uncertain, or sad, redirecting my heart to the love of God is one of the best things I can do. For starters, it turns my attention from myself to Him. To His character and abundant love. This turning leads me to praise Him and fills me with hope and assurance. Hope of His glorious salvation and that He will see me through the changing seasons of life. Assurance that He will continue to act in accordance with His love. 

When I think of the steadfast love of Christ I am reminded that our Savior is One who does not change: He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The same Jesus who fed the crowd in compassion and wept with the mourning is the same Jesus who knows and cares about all that weighs on my heart and mind. It is a great grace that my heart should be turned to the source of life and light, to be directed to the One who gives rest to my soul. 

As I wind this post down, I fear I’m in the same predicament as when I began. Though it’s difficult to begin, sometimes it’s equally difficult to know how to end! And so, I will end with something real. It’s been a few weeks since I actually began writing this post. Since then, life has moved forward. I feel less tired and the sadness of the changing season has faded. And yet, some things still weigh heavy. But the Lord has directed my heart to His love and my eyes to Jesus. With gratitude, hope, and assurance, He will lead me on. 

Reformation Celebration

For many people, October is a month of excitement. A month to visit pumpkin patches, drink apple cider, watch football, and prepare for trick-or-treat. While I enjoy all of those activities, for me, October rings of an even bigger excitement- the anniversary of the Reformation! 

On October 31,1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. Little did he know this action would spur an entire movement back to the truth of the Gospel! In the years that followed this famous church door nailing, God raised up many reformers. Men such as John Calvin, John Knox, Jan Hus, and John Wycliffe, among others. These men faithfully taught God’s word, bringing people back to the truth of salvation: That salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone. These 5 “onlies” became known as the 5 Solas of the Reformation (Sola is Latin for “only”). Join me as we briefly look at each! 

Sola Gratia (Grace alone). Titus 3:5 proclaims that we are saved not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to God’s mercy. Similarly, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” God, in His infinite wisdom, has chosen to save us based on nothing but His grace. We cannot earn salvation with good works or good intentions! We are reconciled to Him only because of the grace He has so richly lavished on us. 

Sola Fide (Faith alone). The grace of God allows us to have faith in Him and the One whom He has sent. It is by faith that we receive the gift of salvation. Such faith means we believe God’s plan for salvation and place our whole weight upon His provision. Just as Abraham was justified by faith- because he believed God’s promises- we are declared righteous by faith in the free gift of God (Romans 4:16-25). As Romans 3:25 makes clear, this gift is to be received by faith.      

Solus Christus (Christ alone). While faith is the means by which we receive salvation, we must be very clear about one thing: it is not faith itself that saves, but faith in Christ that saves! He is the object of our faith and the only one in whom salvation is found. As Acts 4:12 states, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The Apostle John also made this crystal clear when he wrote, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life,” (1 John 5:12). The only object of saving faith is God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!   

Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). This beautiful sola reminds us of the final authority of Scripture. Sola Scriptura holds that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and that it contains all we need for salvation and godly living. The Reformers taught that the canon of Scripture is closed and that God’s word is completely sufficient for His people (2 Peter 1:16-21). In sum, there is no higher authority by which we can know about God, man, and salvation than by His revealed Word! 

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone). Last but not least, my favorite sola! As all things exist for the glory of God, so does salvation. In this magnificent act, God demonstrates the fullness of His love, mercy, grace, and justice. He is glorified by setting His love upon His people and bringing them to Him! Ephesians 1:5-6 proclaims, “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Praise God that we are His and His alone- to the glory of God alone! 

I pray these solas are a refreshment to your soul as you reflect on the wonder of God’s redeeming love! Happy Reformation Day! 

Forever the Father’s Child

Adoption is many things. It’s a choice and a commitment. It’s choosing to bring a child into a family and to treat them without distinction from a biological child. It’s also legal and final. Ultimately, it’s a beautiful act of love- and it’s what the eternal God has done for those who are in Christ. 

When we trust in Christ, the Son of God, for salvation, we become united to him. He in us, and we in him! It’s through this union that we are counted as sons and daughters of God. Through Christ, we are adopted into God’s family with the full blessings and benefits of sonship. This means God loves us as He loves Christ; that He will never cast us out; and that we are joint heirs with Christ. How amazing is that?!

The writers of the New Testament express this theme of adoption repeatedly. The Apostle John wrote, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). In the book of Romans the Apostle Paul stated that we have received the Spirit of adoption as sons; we have received the Spirit that cries, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15). In his letter to the Galatians, he put it this way: “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, though faith…and if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:26, 29). 

I love those verses! But my favorite words of all regarding this matter come from Jesus. Just before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed a high priestly prayer. This prayer was not only for his disciples, but for all who would believe in him. In his words we are assured of the beautiful union we have with Christ. It’s also here we see the desire of our Savior for his people: that they would know the love of the Father. Consider his prayer: 

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me… I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:23, 26).

In Christ, we are brought into the family of God as adopted children. As His child, God the Father lavishes His love upon us, loving us as He loves His Son. What security! We cannot be snatched from His hand nor can anything separate us from the love of God in Christ. We are His children forever. 

Spend some quiet moments re-reading the above passages of Scripture. Thank God that He has called you into His love, into His family. Pray that He will give you strength to comprehend that you are truly His child.  

A Thing of Beauty

Those of you who know me know I’m not artistic. Creative, yes. You want me to whip up content for a presentation or podcast? I got you. Create a devotional or write an article or book? No problem. But artistic? Nope. Not by a long shot! I can’t draw, paint, or craft. (And please don’t ask me to decorate for a party.) 

As a wife and mom, I’ve often felt guilty for not making our home a more beautiful place. Don’t get me wrong- we have some decor going on. But when I compare my home to others who are gifted with making a home aesthetically pleasing, I feel as though I have failed my family. 

I was praying about this very issue a few Wednesdays ago during our church’s weekly prayer meeting. As I prayed for both the desire and perseverance to make my home lovely, I also randomly wondered what Jesus would think about the state of my home. Would I feel embarrassed if he were to walk through the front door? Almost immediately, I felt the Holy Spirit guide me to Scripture. Specifically, 1 Peter 3:3-4.  

In these verses we learn the true beauty of a woman does not come from her braided hair, clothing, or jewelry, but from a gentle and quiet spirit. I have to say, it was kind of a lightbulb moment. I had never really considered how this also applies to a home environment- that the beauty a woman contributes to her home isn’t about her decorating style, but about the beauty she brings through warmth, gracious words, a hospitable spirit, and a servant heart. 

I then remembered how Jesus scolded the Pharisees for washing the outside of the cup while being inwardly full of greed; and how he compared them to beautiful white washed tombs which inside were full of dead people’s bones (Matthew 23:25-27). I was also reminded of the Scripture that says it’s better to have a simple dinner with love than a fattened ox and hatred with it (Proverbs 15:17). 

All of these verses compiled in my mind in a moment’s time, and it became clear the Lord was telling me not to overlook the most important way to usher in beauty. It was freeing to think that making my home beautiful had nothing to do with wall hangings, plants, or stellar baseboards. 

Now don’t get me wrong- there’s certainly nothing wrong with nice clothing, jewelry, or braided hair. And there’s nothing wrong with lovely home decor! In fact, I fully believe we should do what we can to make our homes visually pleasing. But what a relief to know that the beauty that pleases the Lord is the bearing of the fruits of the Spirit and a heart that longs to do His will. In this way, I will strive to make my home a thing of beauty. 

But God

Some of my favorite parts of Scripture contain the word “but.” Perhaps the most famous verse with this beautiful conjunction is Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved” (ESV). In this passage the “but” shifts us from the very bad news of our sin and separation from God to the glorious hope we have in Christ. Let’s turn our attention now to two Old Testament examples of “but” language- and learn how this word can transform our darkest despair into renewed hope.   

Psalm 102, penned by one who is afflicted and faint, begins with a cry to the Lord. The author pours out his request for God’s ear to be inclined to him, for His face to not be hidden from him. Verses 3-11 detail the depths of emotional and physical agony, of sleepless nights and sorrowful tears. Then, the “but.”

In verse 12 we see the radical shift: “But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever, you are remembered throughout all generations.” The remainder of the Psalm focuses on the greatness of God, of His power and might; of His overwhelming compassion, how He hears the groans of the prisoners and sets free those who are doomed to die. The psalmist also reflects on God’s power in Creation and on His eternal nature. “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth”( v.25); “You are the same and your years have no end” (v.27). Though the author began this particular writing with despair, he ended with hope by setting his mind on the character and attributes of God.  

The Weeping Prophet did the same. For the first two chapters of Lamentations (and for much of the third) Jeremiah lamented deeply over Jerusalem. His anguish is palpable: “He has made my flesh and my skin waste away; he has broken my bones” (v.4); “He has filled me with bitterness; he has sated me with wormwood (v.15); “My soul is bereft of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is” (v.17). These words are so heavy- and then we find our word: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23). What a radical shift! Again, hope emerges when the heart is set on the love and mercy of God. 

And for us. What are we to do with our frustration? With our fear? With our uncertainty and heartache? We first and foremost boldly pour our heart out to the Lord, as the word of God instructs us to “cast our anxieties on him because he cares for [us]” (1 Peter 5:7). Because there is nothing in our heart that is hidden from Him, we can humbly surrender our burdens to Him in honest prayer. 

And after we lift up our pleas? We use the “but.” As Philippians 4:8 says, we set our minds on what is true and good and lovely. That is, we set our minds on the truth of who God is- that He is good, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. But God. But God who is rich in mercy, great in faithfulness, enthroned forever. As we recall His character and mighty deeds, our despair will give way to hope. And as God’s word assures us, hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by His Spirit (Romans 5:5). Praise be to God!

Friday Night Hospitality

As September rolls on in, two of my favorite things roll in with it: Friday night lights and Saturday morning cross country meets. I just love those crisp early mornings and that quintessential “fall feeling” I get as I race around the cross country courses cheering on my kids! But over the years, I’ve also come to really love attending our hometown football games. Not only has our team been very successful the last several seasons, but there’s something nostalgic and slightly magical about watching games in the historic downtown stadium.

While the game itself is always a good time, what I really love about home games is hosting a “tailgate party” beforehand. A few years ago, my husband came to me with this idea. He said, “Now that our kids are getting older, I think it would be fun to host a pre-game meal here for their friends and ours, then walk to the stadium together.”  Since the stadium is about a 5 minute walk from our house, I thought that sounded like a great idea! But I have to admit- the thought of hosting was a bit intimidating. 

I love our home, and it completely suits us as a family of four. However…the layout of our home is not exactly designed for large groups of people. And our kitchen? Well, it could use some major renovations. All of this gave me a moment’s pause. I wondered if our home was sufficient; if people would enjoy gathering here; and if anyone would secretly judge the condition of the kitchen. 

That’s our human nature, isn’t it? To postpone hospitality and hosting on account of the fear that our home (or material possessions) don’t quite “measure up?” Thankfully, I agreed to my husband’s awesome idea, despite my secret insecurities! The result? Over the last 2 years we’ve hosted 10 gatherings with wonderful friends, sharing fantastic food and fellowship. The kids have enjoyed playing countless yard games, and everyone has gone away from these parties joyful and grateful for the time together.  

With the season of tailgate approaching, I found myself reflecting on the last two seasons. And something occurred to me: The kitchen had not hindered friendship or fellowship- only my pride. And the price of laying pride aside has certainly been one worth paying. 

Many times over, Scripture encourages generosity and hospitality (1 Peter 4:9, Titus 1:8, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:16). Nowhere does it say this includes having a large or perfectly tidy house, the best tables and chairs, or classy decorations. What it does encourage is sharing what we have in love, both with friends and family, and anyone in need. Hospitality then is a matter of the heart, a demonstration of openly sharing our lives and homes with others. 

I encourage you- and myself- to cast insecurities and pride aside, and to consider how opening our homes could benefit and bless others.  How might you be generous and hospitable this season? 

Beach Breakfast

*This article first appeared in the April issue of Faith on Every Corner Magazine

This month we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. And while I will never read more glorious words than the angel’s proclamation that Jesus has risen, I must confess that my favorite scene in all the Bible comes after the empty tomb. 

In John 21 Jesus appears to his disciples for the third time post-resurrection in a very fitting setting. After a long night of fruitless fishing, they heard these words: “Children, do you have any fish?” After replying “no” they were instructed to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. After doing so, the quantity of fish they caught was so great they were unable to haul it in. The disciple John exclaimed, “It is the Lord!” Peter, unable to control his excitement, put on his outer garment and threw himself into the sea. 

How reminiscent! After all, Peter’s boat was the setting for the first miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5). That event was the  turning point in the lives of these fishermen. It was then that Peter acknowledged his sinfulness and Jesus’ holiness; and it was then the fishermen were called to follow him. How appropriate that post-resurrection Jesus used the same setting to again call the disciples to himself. 

After dragging the net full of fish to shore, the disciples saw a charcoal fire with fish and bread laid out on it. Jesus then said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Can you imagine a more beautiful scene? Jesus, the King of Kings, cooked breakfast on the beach for those he loved. And how tenderly he had called to them. His address to them as children was not an insult, but a demonstration of affection and an acknowledgement that they must still be taught. 

For some reason, this breakfast scene grabs my heart. Perhaps it’s because it shows the humanity of Jesus- something I still have a hard time grasping. Just think: he made a fire; he cleaned slimy fish. But perhaps I love this scene so much because it shows the humble, thorough love of Christ. If I ever doubt what kind of Savior I have, I first and foremost look to the cross. And yet, this scene reminds me that he attended to even the basic needs of those who were his own. This is the kind of Savior we have. One who tenderly calls us and loves us with a humble love. One who not only died for us but daily demonstrates his gracious care. One who bids us come and follow him.