We live in a world that operates in the exact opposite posture. The goal is to be served. That is where the power is and that is how we know we’ve made it— by the way people cater to us or cower to us. But in Christ, we are to share the same mindset and follow the same model, and that is the posture of a servant.

Studies have shown that 57% of Americans utilize the snooze button regularly. Those numbers mean that we spend 3.5 months of our lives hitting the snooze button on average. We ignore the buzzer going off welcoming us to a new day…d

Rdesting is my struggle. If things are out of place, I have difficulty sitting and listening. I like to ensure my tasks are completed before I sit and read, engage in conversation, or watch a movie. If the dishes in my sink are done, then I am all yours! It's hard for me to admit, but I am a Martha.

What can the church do for me? We live in an age of consumption, with this mindset sinking its teeth into Christianity. We church shop looking for a community that fits our every want, need, and wish…

When my wife was in her final stretch of nursing school, I wanted to do something special for her a few years back. So after a long weekend of studying, I decided to whip up a sweet treat - a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I'm not a baker, but I can follow simple directions, or so I thought…

When I was in high school, I went on a cross-cultural trip to Germany. I stayed with a local family while sightseeing and immersing myself in the culture. Unfortunately, I utilized German class for my afternoon nap, so I couldn't speak, read or understand the language…

Like most teenagers, earbuds seem like an extra appendage for my daughter, Paige. She listens to music almost 24/7. Yet, often, when I call her for dinner, I get radio silence…

One of my favorite summer traditions involves watching America's Got Talent with my family.  Over the years, we’ve all had our "Golden Buzzer" favorite picks, but one contestant named Shin Lim stood out to all of us. Shin is without question the greatest up-close magician I have ever seen…

Like most teens, my two daughters bicker from time to time. Most skirmishes tend to center on clothes, makeup, and hogging the bathroom when the other is attempting to get ready. However, the greatest source of contention is the television remote…

My vehicles are showing their age. My husband, Bobby, drives a van with 226,000 miles, and I have a little blue Hyundai with 289,000 miles. Both vehicles continue to get us to all the places, even though they continually make it an adventure. Yesterday, another warning light popped on as I turned on my car - oh, joy. My new addition means I presently have four brightly colored and unavoidable signals illuminating my dash, each reminding me something needs attention.

I love watching my son's high school track and field meets. What I do not enjoy is the length of said meets, which are usually over four hours long. Yes, you read that right. I'm also not a huge fan of the cold, which made a recent meet miserable.

Before we celebrate Easter Sunday, we can't overlook that dark Saturday. The day Jesus spent in the tomb was a time of silence, confusion, and waiting. However, during that day, we witness the enduring and steadfast nature of Jesus.

The heart of Jesus beats with a rhythm of mercy that never ceases to amaze. It is one that boldly and without hesitation extended forgiveness even in the face of rejection, hate, and scorn. As Jesus hung on the cross, bloodied and broken, battered and bruised, He cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). Forgiveness filled His heart - not just for those who had put Him there, but for all who would come to Him seeking forgiveness.

As we continue to explore the heart of Jesus together this Holy Week, we come to a definitive attribute of Jesus – His heart to serve! Pause and consider that Jesus Christ, the Son of God through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17), did not expect to be served by humanity, but rather Jesus served humanity by giving His life as a ransom.

The heart of Jesus beats with a love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and intimately relational. It served as the driving force behind His mission on earth, and His profound desire is to be in a close and personal relationship with each one of us.

On this Tuesday of Holy Week, we continue to explore the heart of Jesus together, and today we actually get to hear Jesus describe His own heart! The passage we just read, Matthew 11:28-29, is the only place in the Bible where Jesus explicitly describes what He is like at His core. Jesus could have used a lot of words to tell us about Himself like powerful, eternal, or wise, but instead Jesus describes His heart as gentle and lowly.

As we begin our journey through Holy Week exploring the heart of Jesus, we lead off with a simple, but profound, message: All are welcome…everyone matters and has value in the Kingdom of God. Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated a compassionate nature that welcomed people from all walks of life. He spent time with the outcasts, the marginalized, and the rejected members of society, showing them love and respect. He ate with sinners, healed the sick, and spoke against injustice.

As a line of cars honked their horns, I realized that my driving career was off to a less than stellar start. The issue at hand was whether I looked at oncoming traffic when attempting to yield. I felt I had (and to this day, I still do), but according to my driving instructor, I had not…

My best friend, Rebecca, and I were heading out of town for a much-needed girls' trip. The excitement was tangible as we jumped in the car! A few hours into the trip, we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere - no houses or buildings and very little traffic.

God doesn’t measure up our faith the way we so often do. All He wants is for us to come to Him, regardless of what burdens we are carrying and what mistakes we’ve made. The foremost measure of our faith is not the amount of scripture we can recite, the percentage of our income we tithe, or the consistency of our church attendance (though these disciplines are extremely important and admirable). The extent of our faith is not based on how well we are “performing” as Christians. The health of our faith is measured by our willingness to lay our soul bare before Him. Faith is at its strongest when we continue to come to His feet, even when we feel hopeless, shattered, and plagued by shame.