Category Archives: Faith

Which battles do I choose?

Faith, Parenting, Teenagers

I haven’t written in a while.  This season we’re in calls for seeking advice rather than giving any.  I feel steeped in “Do I choose THIS battle?”, quite similarly to when I had three preschoolers.  Now, however, there are three teenagers who are suddenly my size.  I no longer squat down to look them in the eye.  Instead, I notice their eyes are quite level with my own.

Let me first say that my kids are amazing.  They are fun, funny, responsible, kind, respectful, and polite.  I don’t have much to complain about.

In spite of this, they are also … Read the rest

Quiet Enough to be Heard

Faith

I’ve learned a trick that many elementary school teachers know – when the classroom gets loud, the teacher gets quiet.  If the teacher begins to whisper to the students, eventually one of them will notice and begin shushing the other students.  “Quiet!  I can’t hear the teacher!”
_____________________

On Sunday morning, our worship pastor asked if we know why God whispers.  In that moment I felt God tell me, “It’s so you’ll listen.”

You have to be quiet to hear a whisper.  Your surroundings have to be quiet to hear a whisper.  Your thoughts have to be quiet to hear … Read the rest

Asthma & Slippery Slopes

Faith, More About Me

I’ve had asthma since I was 10.  Exercise-induced asthma, to be specific.  I’ve seen a handful of doctors, owned 2 nebulizers, countless inhalers, had a few ER visits.  My solution: no running.  Everything is fine if I don’t run.

Earlier this month I decided to try out “Couch to 5k”, not because I want to run a 5k, but because I want to be stronger and healthier.  And, let’s be honest, I want my will to beat my body on this one.  (I tried once before and failed miserably)  This time would be different.  This time WILL be different.  I … Read the rest

Pain in the Body

Faith

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part but many. – 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Have you ever experienced significant physical pain?  About 4 years ago I cracked a disc in my lower back. The pain was significant for months until I was … Read the rest

God’s Love Is

Faith

“Don’t be anxious,” I tell myself.  When my mind starts swirling about the to-do lists or the future or the present or this overwhelming task of parenthood, or the fill in the blank.  Don’t be anxious.

Then I try to remember about what follows in Philippians 4, what I’m supposed to think about instead of those worries: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.”  Yes, those sound so much better than my worries.  What is true in this situation?  What is lovely?  … Read the rest

Seeking Spiritual Healing

Faith

Waiting for God to move is hard.  Trusting that He will is not so bad, but waiting on his timing is killer.

I’ve been in a journey – waiting, offering suggestions (cleverly disguised as “Do you want me to…?), praying, getting impatient, begging to feel better.  You know.  God has made progress in me for sure, but I’d like the process to just be done already.

Lately I’ve had thoughts just itching at me, telling me I need to do something.  Do SOMEthing.  Anything.  Surely I’m supposed to do something.  Anything.  But I haven’t been feeling confirmation from God either … Read the rest

Fruits of the Spirit {gentleness}

Faith, Fruits of the Spirit, Parenting

Moving through the Fruits of the Spirit, we are now at Gentleness.  I’ve recently discovered Chad’s Bible Encyclopedias.  I’m so thankful for his Bible degree…

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” Galatians 6:1

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

Babies need to be treated with gentleness, just notice next time you’re … Read the rest

Fruits of the Spirit {goodness}

Faith, Fruits of the Spirit, Parenting

In the list of Fruits of the Spirit, goodness is the one that is giving me the most trouble.  Every time I try to define it, I realize I’m instead defining one of the other fruits.  I should probably look in the Bible and see what help it can offer.

“…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge…” 2 Peter 1:5 (NIV)

“Good” seems so relative.  What tastes good, what smells good, what looks good, what’s considered good behavior.  All of this is opinion-based.

According to 2 Peter, goodness is part of a sequence of … Read the rest

“Do This in Remembrance of Me”

Faith

I sat in church on Sunday listening to one of our pastors prepare the congregation for communion.  He said the words that are so familiar to me, “do this in remembrance of me“, and I really started to think about those words in a new way.

I thought about how the disciples would have shared the passover meal together after Jesus had died, risen, and returned to heaven.  They would have remembered Jesus during this meal – specifically the last one they had celebrated together, then maybe shared stories of him (He had some great stories!).  Maybe it … Read the rest

Sticks and Stones

Faith, Just My Thoughts, Parenting

You know how it goes.  Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.  The reality is that words do hurt, and their effect can last much longer than a physical injury.

There are a lot of words that swirl around in my head.  Some are true and some are not.  Some are kind and some are not.  Some are mine and some are not.  Some are godly and some are not.  I am going through some counseling right now (oh yes, I will wave that banner high), and one thing we are working on is … Read the rest