wordspread

Opening your curtains is a conscious choice. I do it every morning. It's one of the first things I do. It lets in that beautiful morning light. The night has passed. It's fresh. It illuminates that which is around you.  Spiritually, I need to do the same. I need to make a conscious choice to let the light in. This comes with prayer and time in the Word. I choose to open up my day to the shining light of Christ, whose mercies are new every single morning. I find those new mercies today, as I open my heart and my mind to the Light of the World, who is able to bring light into the darkest and most gloomy of places. The One who can illuminate our lives.  Open your curtains. And be reminded of what is most important as you start your day: starting it by choosing to let in the light. __ Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~John 8:12 #spreadtheword #letinthelig...

the page begins blank and then perhaps a few lines... make way for some words  a story unfolds, and time flies. But today I feel as if I'm drawing a blank In my head there are very few lines.  And so, I make way for only the Word a story unfolds, that only story that really matters, you'll find... So I suppose a blank on the other pages is fine... As long as I live out this faith that is mine. I know I do not have unlimited time, so why, am I waiting for inspiration or waiting to get started  Life is a vapor, so fleeting and yet I get to press on with the time that I get May God use the voice he's entrusted to me That by grace through faith he'd bring others to see-- That the page is all about HIS story, not mine So drawing a blank, in the end, it's just fine. 

Did the Israelites break or honor the sabbath when they fought the battle of Jericho? (Read the story in Joshua 6) After all, they marched around the city once a day for six days. And then, on the seventh day, they marched more than they did on the six days leading up to it. In fact, they worked way harder on this seventh day. They marched around it seven times that day. Seven times more walking than on the days leading up to it. At face value, it may read as if the Israelites are breaking God's command to honor and keep holy the seventh day as one of rest. But if you go a little deeper, they're actually walking in obedience.  Rest doesn't mean complacency. Rest comes out of active worship and obedience to God.  While it is debated whether or not this "seventh day" was actually the sabbath, I think that argument misses the point. After all, they walked all six days leading up to it, so either way, we're talking about a sabbath day no matter where it falls in t...

  this moment embodies the gospel this moment; the newness of life. this moment eclipses the pain this moment - like an endless refrain. a cry that declares it is finished this cry; the beginning of life. a cry that makes us rejoice this cry - of a newly found voice. this moment embodies the gospel this moment; the fullness of grace this moment points to our purpose - to life in the Lord's sweet embrace. A cry that declared it is finished that cry; the end of His life. A cry that now makes us rejoice that cry -  Where Jesus gave us his voice. this moment embodies the gospel this moment; like none other on earth A sweet gospel glimpse that brings heaven so near... the gospel embodied in birth.

Yes, it's worth it to put on and off all that winter clothes. It's worth it to have to run the teddy bear through the laundry. It's worth getting cold. It's worth dealing with all the wet snow gear when you're done. Even it you'll only spend seven minutes outside. These are the moments that matter. When the two-year-old wants to take his stuffed bear sledding, you'll be happy you did it in the end. Even if it feels like extra work or unnecessary hassle for just a few minutes of fun. These are the moments we can't get back, so I'm embracing the beauty of the season. Similarly, we've got to put on our spiritual "snowsuits" each day. Obviously, you wouldn't go outside in negative temperatures without a lot of bundling up. Similarly, don't start your day with negativity or without "bundling up" in the armor of God.  God is there to "keep you warm," to help you win the battles you'll face today, and to help yo...

Our sweet Gary has a clubfoot - a growth issue with his foot where it points inward due to tightness of the achilles tendon and a slower growth rate of certain parts of his leg and foot. Thankfully, its treatable, and we're blessed to have the medical professionals in our area of the world who are able to treat it skillfully. We praise God that he should have full recovery and functionality in his foot, but are humbled by the fact that without treatment it would turn into a lifelong disability, with pain and difficulty walking. It seems like a lot of appointments and work in the present, but it will be worth all of it when he's able to walk without pain!  Gary's clubfoot tells us the story of the gospel: In life, we all have a growth issue: our lives point inward. We are self-focused and sinful. Sin, without treatment, also turns into a lifelong (you could go further and say eternal ) disability. It might not feel painful in the stages of infancy (much like a clubfoot), bu...

I love Bible studies.  But, there's a problem: Bible studies are people's interpretations of scripture. They aren't actually scripture. While they have their place, and can be such beautiful tools, I realized this week that I have a problem with Bible studies:  I found myself spending more time in my study books - answering questions, reading what certain passages might mean, focusing on the commentary, etc., than in the actual passages of scripture. I'd first open my study book, and then open my Bible as the "supplement" or "addition to" the study. While the studies aren't necessarily written that way, it was an encouragement to do a heart check.  Am I spending time in God's word or in someone else's word?  As Jen Wilkin says (in her introductory video to her Exodus study, "God of Deliverance"), " you won't answer to God for someone else's interpretation of scripture." I am responsible to answer for mine, an...

Eating dinner with a toddler is never uneventful. And usually, I love it. Z keeps us laughing, singing, cleaning up messes (that's the part that's harder to love sometimes)... and reminding us of the many ways we're still like toddlers at heart. A few nights ago, however, his hankering to ask for "more chicken!!" before he was done with what was already on his plate (which was quite a bit) had us feeling somewhat irritated. Though he had a plate full of freshly smoked chicken (thanks, Mitchell :)) cut to the perfect bite-sized pieces... it didn't seem to be enough.  "Eat what you have on your plate! You have some right here!" We'd say.  But the asks kept coming: more salt... more ketchup... more chicken. "Moorrrre!!" He'd say emphatically, while also reaching his little arm as far towards the serving dish as possible, slapping his adorably chunky toddler fingers down on the table. I can't blame him for enjoying his Dad's smo...

  Going for a "walk!" is one of this little guy's favorite things to do these days. Picking "flow-ders," watching "cars!" go "bvroommmm" past us while we pause on the sidewalk to watch each one, unable to successfully differentiate between cars and trucks, and yet always asking where the "digger" is. A tractor drives by and a big toothy grin looks up at me as he says, "WOWW!!" And we keep walking. He's not a big fan of holding my hand while we're just walking, but when we get to a bump in the road (or in the yard), and usually at each transition between the two, he reaches up his hand towards me. He doesn't look up. He blindly extends his arm upward; he stays focused on the bump or grassy knoll ahead, but holds his hand open, knowing and trusting that I'll grab ahold and help him over the more challenging terrain. Every time. __ "for we walk by faith, not by sight." ~2 Corinthians 5:7 __ I snapped...

"and though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not  quickly broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:12 This verse can be so easily taken out of context, and has long been food for debate as to what it's really saying. Is it talking about the Trinity? Marriage? Gatherings of believers that grow quickly from two to three to more? Is it referring predominantly to unity or to strength? To friendships or intimate relationships?  Whatever the case, most would agree that in its simplest form, it's reminding us that people were meant to do life together . In community (not alone).  It quickly jumps from two to three, almost assuming the "third" person is just *there* all along - and that's why a lot of people jump to the conclusion it's talking about God simply being there.  "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two o...

John Ortberg writes in his book The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God's Best Version of You about how the invitation to "taste" is an invitation from a CONFIDENT chef. "Taste what I've made! It's good!!" He or she might say to you, offering a delicious sample of the greater cuisine they've masterfully created. And it's delicious. A chef who is not confident in their cooking would be unlikely to say "taste and see that it is GOOD!"  In Psalm 34:8 we see an invitation from our Creator, the most magnificent chef there ever was: ___ "oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!" ___ As we read his word, we get a taste of his goodness. As we experience his goodness in creation we learn more of his faithfulness. As we see his day to day faithfulness we remember that he's a covenant-keeping, consistent King, who cares for us, communicates with us, and considers our deepest needs and desires. Every taste of him is good.  May this serve ...

I cracked an egg, watching its yolk emerge and plop slipperily into my mixing bowl. And in such a simple task as mixing together the ingredients for banana bread, God nudged my heart with a reminder of what it means to be a member of the church.  "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ."  ~ 1 Corinthians 12:12 The reminder? That being part of the church is like being an ingredient in a loaf of banana bread (respectfully). While being part of the church WAY better than banana bread, for the sake of the example, stick with me. :)  Christians are part of the universal church - and together, we make up Christ's bride. God created us for community, and he didn't intend for us to walk alone in our faith. That's why we have brothers and sisters with different abilities than we do; because the variety of skills and gifts we have create a beautiful result.  "For the body does ...

Honored to write for Gospel Centered Discipleship this summer! Check out this article  here !

The Bible is laden with birth stories. Eve's. Sarah's. Rebecca's. Rachel's. Elizabeth's. Hannah's. Mary's. And so many others. But laden throughout all scripture is the undercurrent of a greater birth story in the lives of you and me: the story of us being born into the family of God.  We hear of increased pain in childbearing (Eve). Giving birth as an elderly woman (Elizabeth, giving birth to John the Baptist). Barrenness (Rebecca, for 20 years!), twin birth (also Rebecca, giving birth to Jacob and Esau), post-menopausal birth (Sarah), dying in childbirth (Rachel, when she had Benjamin), and even giving birth as a virgin (Mary, giving birth to Jesus). It is no wonder we hear about birth so much in the Scripture; it is is a significant event. It's incredibly hard, but it's also something we can be proud of, because the end result is, or is supposed to be, beautiful new life. But unfortunately, birth is broken. It doesn't always end in new life, a...

In seasons of hardship, God has done me no wrong. In seasons of doubt, God has never been wrong. In the seasons of waiting and wandering want, His timing has never been wrong. Though I may think it, by Him I am not wronged, for in Him no wrong can be found. He is not wrong in what He will make right. By Him I am not wronged by day or by night; For what is wrong in this world is no fault of God's What is wrong in this world with Him is always at odds. His will is to work all things by His might, That all wrongs in His justice will be made, one day, right. In the seasons of suffering, God has done me no wrong. In the seasons of loss, God has never been wrong. Though I may think it, by Him I am not wronged, for in Him no wrong can be found. By his hand I am not and will not be wronged, for in Him no wrong can be found. So still I will be as the wrong He will fight, And I long for that day when all wrong will be right. Oh, for that day do I long. #spreadtheword

Never has a task felt so repetitive and so mundane.  Nonetheless, never has a task felt so needed and so incredibly purposeful: Changing. Yet. Another. Dirty. Diaper.  From soiled to clean, once again.  And it would be silly to become frustrated with the task when these youngsters we care for are so little that they're simply unable to control these natural bodily functions. It isn't a perfect analogy, but bear with me. Or if we're talking about the baby on your lap, maybe it would be better suited to say "bear down" with me as they fill their pants again! Ok, that's probably taking my inner labor/delivery nurse bodily-function-language-filter (or lack thereof) too far. You'll have to bear down with me, too. Oops. Too far, again? Well, there goes the hope for a smooth delivery of this topic! Ha! Are you laughing with (or at) me yet? Ok, but for real: I can't help but think: Is this perhaps how God views the cleansing of our sin? Repetitive. Purposeful....

As I sit here gazing at our sweet baby's face, it's as if I've never seen or understood a baby's helpless state before; I find myself having a "lightbulb" moment, where Matthew 18:3 hits me in a brand new way. Our precious son, completely reliant on us as his caretakers: the two people God chose, enabled and entrusted to give life to this little one. Whoa, dude. That's a big responsibility. And yet, my heart rejoices as Mary's did in Luke chapter 1, "magnifying" the Lord, because no, I could not have done anything this beautiful apart from the Lord, the Creator. I rejoice in Zion's life. He's such a blessing to GET to take care of!! The Lord has indeed done beautiful things for us, and HOLY is his name! And then, to think that God willingly gave up his firstborn - his one and only Son for us. It seems unfair. Probably because it is. Yet, Jesus went willingly into the humble, helpless human form as he became a baby. But, that's a w...

After an amazing weekend of deer hunting, I've been more keenly aware of the scripture that talks about how God's majesty is so clearly seen in his creation. When you're out in the woods for hours on end watching "the created" with very little distraction, it would be hard to not notice how complex, beautiful, and diverse nature is. What does it point us to? Remind us of? For me, it is a reminder of the complexity, beauty, and diversity found in the amazing character and creative power of God.  But, not everyone sees nature this way, and I am deeply saddened by how many individuals forget to attribute the beauty of nature to the Creator; and instead, they end up worshipping the created . Even as believers, we easily fall into this trap. I fall into this trap. We too easily worship the things God created. And, in doing so, we fail to worship God. As humans, we all worship something, ALL THE TIME . Even atheists are worshippers by nature. That's a topic for ano...

Are you in what you'd classify as a season of waiting ? Has anyone ever told you that you need to just keep waiting? That seasons of waiting are okay? Not okay? Or has anyone told you to simply be present and find joy in the moment even if you're in this season of "waiting?" Stop looking for the next thing. If you aren't content in the season you're in, you'll find discontentment in the next season, too.  So... here's a newsflash for you today: If you're a believer, you ARE in a season of waiting, and you will be until the day you die.  If you don't find joy in today's waiting, it isn't going to magically appear in tomorrow's. All the joy and contentment you need is the joy of knowing that we're ALL waiting for heaven, and that have we hope for a perfect eternity with our Creator. Pretty cool. Waiting for a boyfriend. Waiting for a proposal. Waiting for a spouse. Waiting for the right job to come up. Waiting for kids. Waiting fo...

I vividly remember a night when my siblings and I were acting a little bit (or perhaps a "lot bit") crazy... I don't remember what we were doing specifically, but I do remember that Dad was continually reminding us to be kind to one another. Next thing we knew, Dad had written " be kind " on his forehead with red lipstick. He was tired of verbally reminding us to be kind, and this was his solution... ...and let's just say just say he made a solid point by having bright red lipstick on his forehead. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. But unfortunately, the word "kindness" is often hijacked by culture, and we lose sight of the very definition of this spiritual fruit. Yikes! Our culture would define kindness as passive tolerance - letting others do, say, or believe whatever they want to; supporting them regardless of whether or not their pursuits and desires align with the truth of scripture. When a word gains a new, incorrect definition from cultur...