Spring Training
(This post was originally written in 2009, before my kids woke me up early every day.) “…[T]rain yourself to be godly.” (1 Timothy 4:7b NIV) A few weeks ago, I noticed that I was feeling reluctant to go to church. I always feel a little bit unenthusiastic on Sunday morning, because the 9:30 a.m. church service is earlier than I usually get to work. But this time I noticed a little resentment in my reluctance, and that gave me pause. I’ve been to church nearly every Sunday of my entire life. Why did I suddenly resent it? I used to believe that being sick was the only reason to miss church,...
Read MoreCollective Accountability
“I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5b-6 NIV) Our prayer lighthouse/Bible study group has been working our way through the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible). At first I was pretty skeptical that I’d get anything out of it; I just remembered lots of skin diseases and Tabernacle decorations from previous times when I’ve tried to read the Bible straight through. But that’s...
Read MoreForgiveness: A Story
(This story was originally written in 2008.) “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13 NIV) I’m sitting here huddled against the armrest on my side of the couch, seething and pondering my next move. My boyfriend is sitting at the other end of the couch, feigning petulance. He never actually gets angry, but he’s also refusing to let me get away with picking a fight. Well, he started it. I mean, sure, he probably didn’t mean to say it in the negative way I heard it, but he could apologize instead...
Read MoreRemember for the Future
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today. (Deuteronomy 15:15 NIV) People are terrible at remembering things. Sure, we all forget car keys or birthdays or why we went downstairs just now. But we’re also prone to forget the lessons we learned. We’re creatures of routine. It can take people anywhere from 18 to 254 days of focused effort to form a new habit, and one of the easiest ways to sabotage a new routine is to lose sight of why you’re doing it. In the book of Deuteronomy, the Hebrews are exhorted to remember what...
Read MoreThe Truth in Genesis
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work..” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV) Creekside is reading Beginnings this season—the first five books of the Bible in a format without chapter and verse numbers. Naturally, the subject of truth came up in my small group as we were discussing the first chapters of Genesis. We all agreed that Genesis was never meant to be a science textbook, but keeping in mind the verses above, we couldn’t simply say the stories were...
Read MoreA Resolution Worth Making
“[F]or it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13 NIV) New Year’s Resolutions—the determination to give up old behaviors or make some other positive change—have turned into something of a joke in our culture. We decide to exercise more, eat healthier, finish that project, start that project, or even just enjoy life more. Then that cheesecake calls our name, the kids get sick, and life interferes with our plans. Rather than giving up on Resolutions and letting them remain a joke (“Hey, it only took me an hour to break this one!”) let’s...
Read MoreTry and Try Again
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (Romans 2:7 NIV, emphasis added) My favorite tea has been discontinued by its producer. A tragedy! I’m quickly running through the approximately year’s supply I snapped up from Amazon as soon as I learned of the change. However, in retrospect, I’m not surprised that the flavor didn’t catch on. I fell in love with it at work, where I made it with hot water from the dispenser and the tiny shelf-stable cups of half-and-half. But when I first tried the same tea at home, I realized it was a...
Read MoreAn Attitude of Gratitude
(Note: Since there won’t be an FYI next week, I’m adapting a post from 2012 in honor of Thanksgiving.) “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV) As I sit here looking out onto the beach, on vacation for my tenth anniversary while my in-laws watch my two boys, I am reminded of how much I have to be grateful for—and how much more I could express that to God. The idea of giving thanks has come to my attention several times lately. A friend of mine told our Bible study about A Simple Act of Gratitude, which chronicles author John Kralik’s...
Read MoreMission and Misery
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. … All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:7,11 NIV) A month or so ago, I wrote about being on a mission from God. Even though I think it would feel amazing to wake up every morning energized by the certainty that I’m living out his mission, I struggle with fatigue, discouragement, and deep doubt about my place in that mission. My time is consumed by taking care of my family and my job of writing. I didn’t want to take on one...
Read MoreSeeking God
(This article was originally published in December 2012.) “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) I recently found out that a friend of mine is no longer a Christian. After making it through high school, college, and early adulthood with his faith intact, he decided that it didn’t make sense anymore. I actually admire his dedication to searching out the truth—he was contemplating going overseas as a missionary, and he thought that if he would be putting...
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