As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2
Years ago, I self diagnosed myself with major trust issues. For too long I held up a wall, a high and mighty wall that kept people out. I did not take time to get to know them and I never gave them a proper chance to get to know me. Either I thought too highly of myself, or not enough about myself to be in relationship people. And man, was I sorely mistaken. God began to open my eyes to the importance of community. He began to take me by the hand, gently reminding me how much I need people in my life.
Early one morning, I found myself flipping through Paul’s letters to the church. As I thumbed through his books, I noticed a pattern. In each introduction, he expressed praise to the Lord and extended thankfulness to everyone he addressed. See below:
With the monopoly of social media in our society, it's easy for us to compare ourselves to both strangers and friends on the internet. We see pictures of thin, perfectly-polished young women laughing at parties, becoming engaged to Prince Charming, flashing their abs at the gym, winning the next Miss-(insert state) title...
And then we see ourselves.
I was recently watching a video in my church house group about a woman struggling with her marriage. One of the most notable things she shared was how she had gotten “bored with God."
It struck me because I was shocked by the idea that anyone could be bored with God! This is the same God that created the universe, sent his son down from Heaven and sent a shockwave through the world with the resurrection. Who could be bored with that?! Yet, faith is not really exciting for people anymore. And, frankly, I can see why.
I'm Not Ashamed is an upcoming 2016 drama film based on the journals of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Columbine, Colorado. Although the tragedy was obviously somber and dark, young Rachel's faith shed light on the truth of Jesus's love, peace, and sovereignty. Milk and Honey Magazine was lucky enough to interview Taylor Kalupa, a gorgeous actress who played Gabby in the film!
There were many feelings I expected to have at a conference I’d been looking forward to attending. Acceptance. Fun. Camaraderie. On paper, these were my people. They lead organizations. I lead an organization. They are vulnerable. I am vulnerable. Like me, they know the stresses of deadlines, trying to balance kids with ministry, and the nagging sense that we should keep hidden the fact that we have the pizza delivery place on speed dial.
Have you ever seen a piece of satire that hits a little too close to home? One of my friends recently sent me this excerpt from a young, married, Christian blogger.
Is life becoming bland? Are you sick of mercilessly going through the motions of a daily routine? Do you miss the vibrancy of childhood; running freely during kindergarden recess? Playing with blocks and building castles? Playing princess with your besties outside amongst the trees? Making “houses” out of leaves during autumn, and snow angels during the winter snow season?
Restore. What does that word stir up in you? For my husband and me, it was the missional word for our home last year. Yep, you heard right- we had a mission in the first year of marriage. During the first month of marriage, my husband and I realized our mutual desire to serve people through the gift of our home. I am the visionary out of the two of us—others may call this the idealistic dreamer.