Come What May: On Bullies & God's Redemptive Way

Our stories die with us unless we write them down. 

There have been a few things in our life that have sort of defined us.  When I was in first grade, I met my first bully.  A burly, sorta strewn about, mostly dirt-covered, sandy-blonde second grader named Anson.  He wore stained striped shirts and tattered denim jeans every day.  As is characteristic of bullies, Anson picked on me.  He pushed me in the recess line, jumped on the snow-fort my friends and I had built, and pulled my hair.  He’s the reason my front left tooth got broken.  He picked on other kids, too.  His list of offenses piled high…he took other kids’ lunches, put his mouth on the water fountain, and spit gum into someone’s hair.  He jumped off the teeter totter letting kids plummet to the ground.  One time, he smeared ketchup all over the bathroom.  He got in big trouble for that.  And as they scolded him, I remember seeing huge alligator tears pouring down his cheeks.  He left at semester’s end and didn’t come back after Christmas. 

Adam Wears the Pants (the one with the story of the lost couch)

Adam’s pants have been a problem since the outset.

You Know It Happens At Your House Too

I’m currently sitting at my dining room table.  It’s April 29, 2017 … and it’s snowing.  This irony is not lost on me.  Because last I checked, Spring had supposedly sprung just over 40 days ago.  But, since it’s a relatively obscure day on the calendar, I figure it’s as good a day as any to be a little transparent.  In part, because of snow 40 days into Spring.

Swanky Strawberry Cake & A Tribute to My Friend

I have this friend.  Her name is Bianca but she'll answer to almost anything.  She’s definitely an original … a one and only.  She lives her life from one fun loving epiphany to the next.  She’s energetic, a sucker for the movie Annie, and passionate about life.  She can be a bit squirrelly at times and she seems to eat, breath, and sleep craziness.  She loves adventures and being around her tends to be an adventure of its own.  She would tell you her greatest treasures are her kids!  She’s genuine, wild, super hilarious, and always fun. 

Spilled Milk of Spiritual Proportions: On Parenthood, Holy Practice, & Obedience

The Backstory:

We already had all three children.  Addison was just a teensy-weensy two-month old but between her and the jealous 16-month old brother, his persistent reflux, and a husband who worked out-of-state most days, my sanity was beginning to wane.  I posted some flaky meme and a half-hearted cry for help on social media and I promptly received the following encouragement: “Do the next thing.” –Elisabeth Elliot

Huh?  What am I supposed to do with that?

Resurrection Sunday 2017

I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)

We Must Think Truth

I once wrote a post and called it About Me, even though No. 17 would have been a better title.  In it, I explained the power of words.  It’s true, isn’t it?  That words have power…  Because they do, ya’ know.  You believe it too, if you’re part of this, the “being redeemed.”   That yes, Christ has power, the cross has power, Christ on the cross has power.  And yet, the Word also says, that the message of the cross…that is, the gospel, has power.