One of the rules in my classroom is that no one except the teacher gets to open the door (for safety reasons). Often when we are getting ready to go somewhere, one of my students will put his hands on the door handle as if to open it, and I will ask them all, “Who … Continue reading Who Gets To Be God
This past Thursday (Valentine's Day) I arrived at work, ready (for once) for a crazy party day. The parents had all signed up to bring food, and I had all the other necessary materials, including a pre-meditated schedule of events. When I opened the door to pick up my students from another teacher, two of … Continue reading Cheerful Givers
Whenever God works in our fallen world, there is friction, and when He works in us, we are the ones who feel the heat. It can be excruciating at times, so much so that we often don’t have the heart to keep going. The aching weight of life is too much for our fragile hands … Continue reading Blessing
Puddles, unlikely windows to the sky, small, impure, vanishing with passing day, trace a gaze-inviting glimpse of the grandeur of the heavens. May the Grandeur of Heaven trace Himself on me, making me, though small, impure, vanishing with passing day, an unlikely window to the Sky.
Growing up, I really struggled in my relationship with God because I thought that Christianity was all about keeping a list of rules. And God does give us commands in scripture to live by. In John 14:15, Christ says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Obeying Him is absolutely necessary in order … Continue reading Isaiah 1: God Wants Our Hearts
A month or so ago, I came to Isaiah in the normal course of reading through my Bible. Confession: in the past when I have read Isaiah, I mostly zoned out because I had this idea that since it was prophecy, I wouldn’t be able to understand most of it, anyway. But this time through, … Continue reading Isaiah
Valentine's Day can be difficult for those of us who are single, but as children of the God who is love, it doesn't have to be. Here are a few tips to help you have a good Valentine's Day this year: 1. Reject feelings that are not true. As we are confronted with our lack … Continue reading How to Enjoy Valentine’s Day when You’re Single
It was a quiet Sunday afternoon in my dorm. Many of the other girls from my dorm—including all three of my roommates—were at a fine arts event on campus. I was lying on my bunk bed, suffering from a cold. That’s when I heard the noise. To this day, I’m not exactly sure what the … Continue reading Fear and the Christian
Amy Carmichael wrote, “If by doing some work which the undiscerning consider ‘not spiritual work’ I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” Through interning at the … Continue reading Living Fully Where God Puts Us
Second Chronicles 33 recounts the story of Manasseh, one of the kings of Judah who reigned shortly before the Babylonian captivity. He was a very bad king. Verse 2 says, "He did evil in the sight of the LORD according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had dispossessed before the sons of … Continue reading Manasseh and our Merciful God
