Every December we have an opportunity to discover something new or recall a truth we once learned from the Christmas story. This year, I focused on the ways Mary and Joseph worked together in order for God’s will to be accomplished. Mary became pregnant by miraculous means. It wasn’t her idea to become the Savior’s... Continue Reading →
A way forward for pro-lifers: Empathy
When our newborn baby was whisked away by an ambulance in December 1998, I knew she was going to die. She had been born 30 minutes before in an uncomplicated home delivery; but as soon as I laid eyes on her, I knew. Her flawed facial features, her eight toes, fused fingers and lifeless body,... Continue Reading →
A way forward for pro-lifers: Sacrifice
When Joe and I had just one child, we fell upon hard times and got evicted from the house we were renting. In response, a woman from our church moved out of her townhouse, moved in with another single woman from the church, and she paid the rent for three months. For another two months,... Continue Reading →
A way forward for pro-lifers: Proximity
How can we reduce abortions in a practical, unified way? Well, unity requires us to be close to one another and to the issues we claim to care about. Jesus modeled this principle of proximity when he "became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood" (John 1.14 MSG). Touching lives, saving souls, loving your... Continue Reading →
A way forward for pro-lifers: Unity
Many conservative Christians worry that the Biden administration will negatively impact the prolife movement. I understand this concern, but this is not a time for hand wringing. Christian Democrats and Christian Republicans need to join hands like family and develop shared convictions about how to reduce abortions. We are family; sons and daughters of God.... Continue Reading →
Ask not what you can do for your country
I have been trying to make sense of the role I can play as a citizen of a nation in turmoil. And with all due respect to JFK, asking what I can do for my country needs a qualifier. Last week's insurrection reveals how a misplaced desire to make the country great can lead to... Continue Reading →
Mary and Joseph Reflect: How to love your wife
Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church-a love marked by giving and not getting Ephesians 5:25 (MSG) During the Christmas season we reflect on the birth of our Savior and the ultimate gift we are given in his birth, death, and resurrection. In Christ, we also... Continue Reading →
Mary and Joseph Reflect: Forgiveness
Marriage is tested every single day because of sins we commit and mistakes we make. I wrote about this here using the characters Hinderella and Prince Harming to describe it. Yes, Joe and I have hindered one another's spiritual and personal growth. Yes, we have harmed each other with our words and actions. The only... Continue Reading →
Mary and Joseph Reflect: Honoring Christ through submission
From Joe: The Biblical passage that is often quoted regarding marriage is Ephesians 5: 22 - 33. There, women are told to submit to their husband's headship, and men are told to love their wives like Jesus loves the church. We had these verses read at our wedding, but our understanding of the passage was... Continue Reading →
Mary and Joseph Reflect: Navigating marriage together
I am blessed to have been married to the same person for 37 years. There have been trials, but our marriage has been a source of incredible joy and blessing. Although we were believers when we married, we didn’t fully understand the work it would take to build our marriage, and we have learned a... Continue Reading →
Mary and Joseph Reflect: Cooperation in marriage
During the month of December, my husband Joe and I will share some thoughts on marriage. We know it's no small feat that we have been married 37 years and we want to point others to the source of our strength: Jesus Christ. This is a month when so many focus on Jesus. Plus, we... Continue Reading →
Politics & Devotion:A hungry nation has voted
I have been thinking recently about how our obsession with politics has eroded the testimony of the church over the past four years. This should be of concern for all those who want to worship Jesus at Christmastime. Though the coming season focuses on his birth, the days leading up to his death are also... Continue Reading →
Politics & Devotion: Why I am not a one-issue voter
We are in the home stretch of personal and collective debates about which presidential candidate should win our votes and why. Many Christians believe that our faith demands we vote for Republican candidates because of the party’s more restrictive stance on abortion. I have a different approach that is anchored in freedom, not legalistic demands... Continue Reading →
Got teens? Go easy on them.
I'm going through so much personal upheaval right now that the only thing I can liken it to is the teen years. Raging hormones. Relationship problems. Fear of the future. Identity confusion. Questions about faith. How is it that someone on the verge of 59 feels like someone on the verge of 15? I don't... Continue Reading →
A Pill and Pie for Mother’s Day
Dear Fellow Moms, If you are looking for a feel-good blog post this Mother's Day, you won't find it here. I have swallowed some bitter pills and humble pie lately and want to share it while it's fresh in my mind. Even though we are supposed to be celebrated today, we can also be calibrated.... Continue Reading →