Salvation / Soteriology
Flip the Switch
A challenge to adjust our perspective on security, with guidance for parents on how to lovingly train up children from a place of security rather than fear.
Identity in Christ Through Every Season
Marriage, motherhood, ministry, an empty nest — how God's grace anchors our identity when our roles and sense of purpose shift.
The Lure: A Look Into How Americanism Hooks You
A workshop on recognizing the cultural assumptions of Americanism that quietly compete with the gospel.
I Think I Can
"The Little Engine That Could" tells us to believe in ourselves. A bike ride on the San Juan Islands taught Carri a different lesson about grace: God never meant us to climb the hills on our own willpower.
Growth
Lessons from the garden on spiritual growth: our growth isn't automatic. Abiding in Christ gives the Holy Spirit the right soil, light, climate, and pruning to work with.
Hope for the New Year
“Messy, Messy, Messy.” These are the famous words of Professor Hinkle the magician from Frosty the Snowman. These words summarize how many people around me feel about getting a living Christmas tree. They take work and…
To Run or Engage
It was not snowy today, but it was a brisk fall bike ride. As I rode down the beautiful bike trail I saw a deer on my right. I slowed down a bit, but the deer jumped right in front of me to the other side of the path…
Resistance
I find myself thinking maybe something is wrong with me if I can not seem to make my life easier where I am at or that if I were a stronger person I would find a solution to make all the hard things in life fall into a…
The Answer to the Wait
As I have posted in the past (here), I was in a time of waiting. It was a hard valley and a dark time for me. I am still in a waiting period, but I am no longer waiting for an answer. I am waiting to start a new journey…
Hallelujah For the Cross!
I absolutely love this song “Hallelujah For the Cross” by Chris McClarney. The song reminds of who we were, who we are, and because of what we have been given through grace by faith in Christ’s work to save us by His…
Going for the Gold
Living with an Eternal Perspective… II Corinthians 5:9-10 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what…
A Lesson from Elastigirl
Jeremy and I have definitely trained our kids to be flexible. Raising support to go to South America – meeting on other family’s schedules Traveling to South America (a month car ride) – many stops on the way, no…
Keep Seeking, Praying, & Asking
Have you ever been in a time of waiting? A time of being unsure of what God has for you next or what you are to be doing now? Or you have a passion or desire, but there is something hindering the way? Or maybe you have…
Dressed For the Bema
Since Easter my pastor has been speaking on a series called “ALIVE!” Pastor Mike of Northwest Hills Community Church described how we are all dead in our transgressions at one point and then for the one who believes…
Who are we?
Our family strongly believes we live an abundant life based out of who we are. We agree with Paul. In many of his epistles he starts his letters with building the church up by describing their identity in Christ and…
Does God Hate Sinners?
This question or the answer to this question has been rolling around in my head for a few weeks after a discussion with a group of women. We as humans look at people’s actions and lifestyle and judge people based on…
God’s Astounding Opinion
God’s Astounding Opinion of You Understanding Your Identity Will Change Your Life In this thrilling adventure you will… transition from fear and dreary obligation to love and heartfelt devotion recognize the stunning…
Let It Be Jesus
I was preparing for a meeting the other day and thinking of what one thing do I want them to understand about me. My only thought was that Christ is my life. No other thing matters. Just the Gospel. Then this verse was…
The Wait
Life is a full process of waiting. Right now I am waiting to plant starts for our garden. I am waiting for our bathroom downstairs to be finished. I am waiting for this rainy winter to stop and the sun to come out…
Israel & God’s Unrelenting Grace
I found the article Israel & God’s Unrelenting Grace by Charles Bing this morning. I enjoy his GraceNotes. After writing Resting this article reminded me again of God’s grace even in the midst of disbelief and sin. God…
By This Name
By This Name is a great book to use when sharing the gospel with others. By the end of the book a person can understand the key truths of faith in Christ for salvation of sins and gain eternal life. John Cross clearly…
Resting
God used many different means to catch my attention this past week. He used our family devotions in Hebrews, this Sunday’s sermon from Pastor Mike (listen here), my weekly book study, toilet paper, and even my husband’s…
Crying Out to God
I was talking with a friend about some hard things I have been going through. I was mad at God, hurt, and sad. Did God forsake me? Is God against me? I felt so embarrassed, a pastor’s wife angry with God. How can I…
Psalms of Lament
I am not sure I have ever heard anyone speak about being angry with God. People have told me to journal, but I do not want the pages to be covered with focusing purely on me. I found the article Psalms: “My God, My God,…
Know, Reckon, Yield
“Living as a Christian is a matter of . . . Death & Life!” The concepts in this article literally changed my life. I went from trying to make God happy by being “good enough” or trying to a attain “perfectness.” I did…
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer…
Unwrap the Gift
Have you ever bought or received a gift and not fully unwrapped it because it would take time to learn how to use? A computer, power tool, vacuum cleaner? This is the season of giving and receiving gifts. Ephesians…
Grace Filled
Grace is what is called “Unmerited Favor.” It is what God gave us when He sent His Son to this earth in humanity’s place. We have gained favor with God by God’s grace and our faith in Christ’s sacrifice. This is what is…
Too Grumpy to Pray
Have you ever felt you could not talk to God because you were too upset? When my Savannah was three, our other kids asked her to say grace before breakfast. She had just gotten out of bed and up to the table. She…
Young Understanding
Kids are able to understand Biblical truth and a gain a Biblical perspective at a young age. When you start using every moment as a teaching moment, kids catch truth. When Autumn was 5 years old she was able to…
Build Hope
Many people ask me, “When can or should we start sharing the Gospel with our kids?” I say as soon as they are breathing. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the alone. And you must love the your God…
Learning From Hagar’s Suffering
Hagar is thought of in a negative light most of the time. She did not birth the son of promise. However, God did see her heartache, spoke with her, and gave her promises to hold onto as He sent her back to the place of…
Fruit of the Spirit
We talk a lot about the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness, & Self-Control. Bearing fruit is not something we pray for, but…
Fruitfulness
I was thinking about my lovely garden this morning and thinking how I want my friends to see it and enjoy it with me. It is a joy and is so beautiful. Then my next thought was, but I don’t want them to see all the…