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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.    

In the Midst of Deception

“You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:6)

I don’t usually write about contemporary cultural issues. When it comes to headline news I abstain from making social media posts and I have traditionally not used my blog as commentary. But right now, I feel compelled to speak. Earlier this week I was tempted to make a Facebook post but ultimately thought better of it. First, I needed to calm down. Second, I really wanted to write something thoughtful. Something filled with as much grace as possible. And yet, something full of truth. So here I am on a Thursday evening attempting to put my thoughts to paper in hopes of challenging and encouraging those who read. 

As I saw the headlines, photos, and videos of the Massachusetts governor signing a bill into law allowing for abortion until birth, I wasn’t surprised. A liberal female in politics supporting abortion without any kind of limit is expected. But to see a host of women surrounding her- smiling, laughing, rejoicing- I was in disbelief. 

My first response was disgust and anger. How can something so blatantly horrifying and cruel be celebrated? And by women?! It didn’t take long for a host of unkind thoughts to run through my mind. But as I was doing the dishes later that day (or maybe it was the next?) my anger toward the women shifted. Yes, they are accountable for their actions. But I am also very aware that the Enemy is still in the business of deceiving women. When we look back to Eden it was Eve the Serpent targeted. She was deceived. Adam was not. Eve believed the Serpent, not knowing he was spewing lies. Adam knew partaking of the fruit was sinful- and yet he did nothing to stop it and partook himself (Genesis 3:1-6, 1 Timothy 2:14). Again, some things haven’t changed (more on that in a bit). 

And still, I couldn’t help but think: How did we get here? How in the world have these women been so deceived? To be sure, the Enemy has been long at work to bring about the ideologies that have made such an unthinkable thing possible. But the heart of His attack hasn’t changed: Convince the woman that she knows best- convince her that she doesn’t need God. Better yet, convince her that she is god. Carl Truman’s book, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self is an incredible piece of work detailing the people, events, and ideas that have given rise to this very notion of self as god. I am not going to attempt to duplicate his masterful work here but I encourage anyone to read his words! But I will say this: When we deny the existence of God- what is left? As so beautifully illustrated in Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, if there is no God then everything is permissible. If there is no God, then we end up like the Israelites in the book of Judges, doing what is right in our own eyes. But apart from God there is no true wisdom. No true justice or mercy. All that exists are their destructive counterfeits. As Proverbs 12:10 says, “The mercy of the wicked is cruel.” 

For women, much of that judgement is centered on our caretaking nature. By design we are compassionate and nurturing. So when something is presented to us that sounds good and loving, we bend in that direction. Make no mistake- we didn’t get to the place of approving of abortion until birth overnight. What was originally presented as something beneficial to a woman in extreme cases has bloomed into the belief that it’s a woman’s right to end the life of her child in the womb- for any reason and at any point in pregnancy. This idea happened gradually, one toxic empathetic bit at a time. The evil of abortion has been sold to women as a right and as healthcare for so long that many don’t even question it. They can’t even see the horror of it! After all, it sounds good and honorable to say you support women’s rights. But that’s the thing about deception- appearances are, well, deceiving. 

In reality, what’s really being served is the god of the belly. When describing the enemies of the cross of Christ the Apostle Paul said, “Their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19). In regard to this passage of Scripture a Pastor once noted, “Your destiny is as glorious as your god.” How incredibly true. If your god is your belly, you only live for the next temporary fix, giving into any and every craving. If you are your own god, your destiny is only as glorious as the self-serving life you make in this world. And if your god is your perceived “right to choose” your destiny is only as glorious as supporting the slaughter of innocent life in the womb.

I’m well aware that some reading this will agree with every word I’ve written while others may vehemently disagree. But what now? What is the call to action? 

To those who disagree, I encourage you to see what’s truly at stake here: the sacredness of human life. It is a biological fact that a new life begins at conception; new life with unique DNA that is a living member of the human species. There are many options for helping pregnant women- but death for the unborn child should not be one. Both the woman and her baby are created in the image of God and deserve love, care, and compassion. Both are endowed with the right to life. I beg you to uphold the sanctity of their humanity. 

To those who agree, I would urge you to pray. Pray that our government leaders would not be hardened or deceived, that they will uphold true justice and mercy. Pray for friends and family (and facebook acquaintances) who are far from the Lord. Ask the Lord to open their eyes to the horror of abortion. But most importantly, pray for their salvation and sanctfication!

Of course, seek opportunities to engage in the hard and awkward conversations this topic inevitably brings. But as you do so, remember to speak truth in love and with words that are full of grace and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). Above all, continue to abide in the Word of God so that you will not be deceived. The lies of the Enemy can sound convincing! Stay rooted in the truth of the Word, knowing with full certainty that every single human being was knit together in the womb by our Creator (Psalm 139). Above all, ask the Lord to give you boldness and courage in this matter. Ask Him to show you how you can be a force for change. 

Finally, to the men. I plead with you to stand up! Don’t buy the lie that because you have no uterus you have no opinion. That’s completely foolish. God has given His Word to men and women alike, and with it we know what He calls good and what He calls evil. And make no mistake, the taking of innocent life is evil. Rather than stand idly by as the first Adam did, stand firm as true leaders and protectors! Lead with godly strength armed with the sword of the Spirit. Lead in such a way that our Lord will one day say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

A City With Walls

The development of discipline has come up in many of my sessions as of late. Most people, myself included, desire to begin (and keep!) good habits. The desire is not the issue- nor is the knowledge that such disciplines are needed and good. The issue is the follow through, the act of actually being disciplined and doing the beneficial thing. So the million dollar question becomes, “How does one develop discipline?” As I’ve thought and reflected on this topic, it struck me that before discipline can take hold, self-control must take root. 

At first glance, self-control and discipline might appear to be two words with the same meaning. However, there is a difference between the two! Whereas discipline is about creating and sustaining a healthy habit, self-control is about denying instant gratification. It’s about being able to see past the immediate moment and act for the benefit of the future. This is difficult! It’s no wonder self-control is a fruit of the Spirit- something that we can’t produce (ironically) within ourselves- more on that in a bit. 

When I consider why self-control is so important, I can’t help but think of Scripture. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” What a picture that paints! A city without walls is unguarded, unsafe, and open to attack. And when we lack self-control, the same is true of us. Caving into our fleshly and momentary desires only leads to habits and lifestyles that ultimately become our ruin. 

So let’s think about how this plays out in our everyday lives. Say you want to be disciplined to work out regularly. Before the daily habit of waking early or going to the gym can begin, it will first require us to deny something within ourselves- to put off the instant gratification of extra sleep or the comfort of staying put on the couch. The same could be said of developing the habit of Bible reading and prayer. We may first have to delay the instant gratification of checking something off of our to-do list or of engaging in a favored hobby. But the ability to deny our momentary desires is what allows us to do the things we really want to do!

While we do have minds and wills and the ability to choose our actions, it’s also interesting to note (as I said above) that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. This does strike me as a bit ironic! When we hear the word self-control we tend to emphasize the self part of it. But the fruit of the Spirit is of the Spirit. This means it’s something He produces in us. In this case, the ability to be controlled and put off momentary desires. This is good news! Rather than relying on our own willpower, we can ask the Spirit to produce this within us. We can pray: Lord, help me to deny my flesh when needed so that I can pursue what is of you. Please produce the fruit of self-control that can only come from your Spirit. 

Once self-control is exercised we can begin the hard work of cultivating discipline. Remember, discipline is about consistently deciding to show up and do the thing you’ve determined to do.  While there are no easy steps to the development of discipline, let’s consider the following points to help us in this endeavor: 

  1. Consider your why. Any time we set a goal or aim to develop a habit, we have to consider our “why”- our driving force. So you want to exercise more. Why? You want to read the Word and pray more. Why? The answer to the why is our motivation and is essential for the development and maintenance of our habits. One of my favorite definitions of discipline goes like this, “Discipline is doing what you don’t want to do so you can do what you really want to do.” The answer to our why is the “what we really want to do” part. As you reflect on your why, I encourage you to write this down on a notecard (as in hand write it!) Keep this somewhere visible so that your motivation takes a tangible form!  
  1. We have to be honest that we won’t always feel like doing the thing. (Again, per the above definition, discipline is doing what you don’t want to do!) This is where mindset comes in. Even with an established motivation, we still need to determine that we can do x even if the desire to do so isn’t there at the moment. It’s a complete myth that we have to “feel like” doing something in order to do it! So keep your eyes on your motivation- this is extremely helpful- but also determine that even if motivation and desire wane, action is still possible! 
  1. Know that action equals more action! It’s actually doing the act that leads us to continue doing the act. (Kind of like the physics principle “an object in motion stays in motion.”) As emphasized in the above point, most people believe we have to be motivated to take action- but it’s actually the action that leads to increased motivation! It’s encouraging to know that the development of discipline has a snowball effect- so trust the process and stay consistent knowing that discipline begets discipline! 
  1. Finally, we cannot develop discipline in isolation. As much as we would love to reach our goals by sheer grit and willpower, the truth is, we need others. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!“ We absolutely need others to encourage not just our desired goals/habits, but the development of self-control and discipline itself. So let someone in! Request their accountability knowing that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). 

I pray this work spurs you on to more prayer and reflection about the fruit of self-control and the development of discipline. (If you’d like more practical ideas for cultivating discipline, check out the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear.) But more than anything, continuously seek the Lord in His word and in prayer, knowing that it is He who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). With His help, we will be like a city with walls, strong and secure, unmoved by the schemes of the Enemy.

Teach Us to Pray

It’s interesting that Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). After all, prayer was certainly nothing new to Jewish culture, and really, to the history of humanity- as far back as Genesis 4 we see that people called on the name of the Lord! And yet, it’s easy to feel unsure about how to approach God in prayer. We fear we will say something offensive to God or that we will in one way, shape, or form, do it “wrong.” To think that we could just talk to the holy Creator of the universe seems simultaneously too easy and too hard. And so, it’s a sort of comfort to know that even the disciples of Jesus felt they needed some guidance in this area. 

When I reflect on my knowledge of and experience with prayer in my own life, I can’t help but think of the church in which I was raised. This was a church committed to preaching the Gospel and to faithfully teaching God’s word. Naturally, prayer was also a large part of our time of worship. Whether it was in the sanctuary on a Sunday morning, in the Sunday school classrooms, or at youth group and choir practice, prayer was always involved. I knew that anyone, anywhere could pray their heart to the Lord. To hear other people pray out loud, and to do so myself (publically and privately) seemed a natural part of life. 

Now don’t get me wrong- my prayer life has always been, and continues to be, in a constant state of refinement. As our current Wednesday night Bible study is focusing on the written prayers in Scripture and of the Puritans, I can see how lackadaisical and stagnant my own prayers have become. As I strive to deepen my prayers, I can only praise God that He hears me when I pray- even when I pray in the same way, day after day. Truly, we never stop learning how to pray.  

The subject of prayer has come up many times in my office, and in fact, just last week the topic came up in three separate sessions. In each case, the person acknowledged their prayer life consisted of only the prayers they were taught in their (Catholic) church. As noted in the opening paragraph, there was fear of saying something wrong, or in general, a lack of knowing how or for what to pray. For others, the idea that God has bigger things to worry about other than their personal struggles keeps them from praying. Some don’t even consider that God wants them to pray about everyday matters. Or, they believe, as we’re all tempted to believe, that they can “figure it out” without God’s help. 

All of that leads me to say this: If you are someone who struggles with the idea of prayer, please consider the following points:

  1. God wants us to come to Him in prayer- about everything. God’s Word tells us to pray in all circumstances and to pray continually (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This means there is nothing under the sun that we can’t pray about. We can ask for God’s mercy, justice, and righteousness to reign. We can ask Him to guide us in truth, for the Holy Spirit to produce in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. We can ask Him to help us love and serve our spouse and for wisdom in parenting our children. We can pray for our aunt’s cancer and how we should handle our finances. There’s nothing that’s off the table when it comes to prayer!
  1. We can pour out our heart, however informally. In 1 Samuel 1 we see Hannah in the temple praying to the Lord for a child (for she was barren). When Eli the priest saw her praying, he wrongly assumed she was drunk. When he confronted her about this she said, “No my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:15). However, this looks for us- whether in flowery, eloquent language, or in raw, fragmented bits, the Lord hears us. Psalm 51:17 tells us that he will not despise a broken and contrite heart. In our brokenness, He simply bids us come; and when we do so, we need not fear we’re “doing it wrong.” 
  1. The Lord’s prayer as a model for prayer. Of course, we can best learn from the instruction Jesus gave his disciples when they asked him how they should pray. This instruction is found in Matthew 6:5-13 and Luke 11:1-4. In this example, we see Jesus taught his people about the following components of prayer: praise, confession of sin, expression of need and dependence on God, protection from temptation, and for His will to be done. While we can of course pray this prayer word for word, we can also use it as a template for our own prayers. 

How I pray that you and I will strive to be a praying people! So much so, I pray we ask God to give us the grace to pray! May we long to commune with our great God in prayer, and may our time in prayer increase our joy and delight in Him. 

Loving the Law

On January 1, 2018 I began day 1 of the “read the Bible in a year” plan.  Reading the entire Bible was something I had always wanted to do but until that time, had not done. I decided to set it as one of my New Years’ goals, and by the grace of God, I was able to maintain the discipline of daily reading.  On December 31, 2018, I completed the reading plan.  

One of my biggest take-a-ways from that time in the Word was the recognition of God’s sovereignty and glory in all things.  I remember being surprised to see how often God acted “for the sake of His name.”  As I read through the Old Testament that phrase really stood out to me!  Admittedly, I struggled with maintaining interest in some books more than others, particularly when it came to the books of the law and chapters containing genealogy. 

On January 1, 2021, I decided I wanted to again follow my “read the Bible in a year plan,” but this time with a bit of a twist.  I decided to follow the schedule by reading the chapters in the assigned order, but not necessarily within the designated time frame.  Instead, I read a chapter or two per day (or every other day). I took my time reading through the footnotes of my study Bible, checking the cross references and additional footnotes.  As I learn best by writing my own notes, I kept a notebook and recorded the main points from each chapter.  While my first journey through the Bible was remarkable, this time through was even better. Here’s a glimpse of what I learned…

One of the biggest surprises of my second read-through was how much I enjoyed Exodus and Leviticus.  The giving of the law and the instruction for the Israelite people is simply incredible!  Now when I read the law, I see it through the lens of God’s holiness, our depravity, and how this covenant of law demonstrates God dwelling with his people.  I also know that it was only a shadow of the better covenant that was to come.  It was amazing to study the footnotes, gaining a better understanding of how Jesus fulfilled all of the law and became our perfect atonement.       

As I read chapter upon chapter describing the specific offerings and sacrifices to be made on behalf of the people’s sin, I thought about what it must have been like to be that connected to one’s own sin.  To kill and sacrifice an animal as a representative of oneself is something so far removed from us because of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.  Yet, this sacrificial system shows that an unclean, defiled people cannot have communion with a holy God without an atonement. Amazingly, the entire system pointed to God’s provision for our salvation- the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.      

The law also demonstrated how the people were to worship God. As I read the detailed instructions regarding the tabernacle construction I was reminded of the reverence and awe that should characterize our worship.  I was also reminded that He is worthy of this type of worship because He alone is holy!  This part of the law challenged me to think about my heart posture and approach to worship. While I can certainly worship with the familiarity and comfort of a daughter, I should always keep in mind the holiness of the God I am worshiping!   

Finally, all of the laws regarding how we are to treat one another demonstrates God’s perfect love and justice.  It truly is a beautiful revelation of who He is.  

Though Christ has become our righteousness by perfectly fulfilling the law, the Old Covenant law is still to be loved because it shows us the character of God and the provision of Christ.  Through it we learn we are sinners incapable of saving ourselves, unable to stand in God’s holy presence.  And yet we rejoice because the law points us to God’s great grace and provision!  In His love, He has made a way for sinners such as you and I to have communion with Him. The law makes way for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Savior. For these reasons we can join the psalmist in exclaiming, “Oh how I love your law!” (Psalm 119:97). 

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.