I was fifteen when Poppy B died. Miles away from the Alabama hospital where he went to be with Jesus. And upon the death of my grandfather, down in the corner of his closet, we found two pairs of identical gray New Balance tennis shoes. They were the suede leather kind, a white 'N' …
Good News and Goldfish [A reflection on two years of kids ministry]
Being a children’s pastor was never part of MY plan. I didn’t get a degree in theology or ministry or adolescent development. I hung out with a lot of ministry and theology majors in college and while they studied small group formation and Bonhoeffer, I lugged around stacks of novels and wrote papers on the …
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On creating a “Home Team”
About a year ago, I sat on my back porch and read a sentence from a book that completely changed the way I make decisions. I know that sounds a little bit melodramatic [and confession: sometimes I am!] but in this case—it’s true! I sat in the shade on a warm summer day. It was …
On Purpose [a tribute to Roy Lovin]
The sunshine hits me and I’m 19 again. It’s like my mind sorts through a hundred other warm, spring days and I land on this particular one. I’m sitting on a bench outside of Livingston Hall. The sky is almost a perfect baby blue—the color you’d paint in the nursery of your first-born son. I …
On Love [and on choosing the true kind]
Every single year, this blog lands in my email inbox and every single year, I sit convicted and reminded that love isn’t always flashy. Reminded to chase after the things that last. The things that are real. It reminds me that Hallmark and Hollywood don’t really know anything about true love. And that maybe we, …
On dating [why I hate it and how it makes me better]
I don't understand dating. I don't think I ever have. Something just doesn't compute in my brain. As free-spirited as I am, I'm also one who really loves to follow formulas and rules. [you know...because that's the easiest way to achieve perceived self-perfection] And it would seem that the only rule when it comes to Christian dating …
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Maybe what you want is what God wants too
What do you want? She asked me, this new sweet friend I’ve made. Her voice was soft and kind and confident. And her eyes let me know that she was once where I am. Sitting there—wandering around under the stars—wondering about the one who created them. Wondering which way is true north. What. Do. I. …
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