When Big Sin Finds Big Men: The fallout of Jerry Falwell, and the lesson we need to learn from it

I heard Jerry Falwell, Jr., speak for the first time in the fall of 2008.  I was a freshman at Liberty University, and he was the soft-spoken new chancellor who essentially inherited the job from his father.  Even then, the students knew he didn’t have his father’s gift for evangelism or public speaking.  He was …

The Coronavirus: Prepare and serve, but don’t forget to grieve

Philippians 4:12-13 says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives …

Happy New Year, Mary: Postpartum with the Son of God

REST.  That’s all I wanted on January 1.  Everyone else was coming up with inspiring resolutions and dedicating themselves to beautiful words like PATIENCE, BALANCE, TRUST, and CONFIDENCE. Meanwhile, I was sitting back thinking, “Lord, can I just stop doing everything and sleep?”   Motherhood is naturally tiring, whether your kids are good sleepers or not- …

If John MacArthur Offends You, Then You Need To Check Your Heart

I recently read Corrie ten Boom’s Holocaust memoir, The Hiding Place, for the umpteenth time.  It’s radically different from other Holocaust memoirs, as ten Boom writes about her enemy, the Nazis, with angelic empathy.  Although ten Boom is frank about her momentary anger and bitterness, by the end of the book she opens up a …

Beth Moore, Kanye West, and why they don’t really matter to Christianity

If you grew up in church, you read the story of Saul the murderer, who became Paul the martyr for Christ.  But how much have you studied of Ananias, the man who baptised Paul? Ananias’s story is explained in Acts 9:10-19, and Paul references him once more in Acts 22:12.  Of Ananias’ character, we know …

How do you worship a Silent God?

I haven’t written much lately.  It’s not due to lack of motivation or time, although I’m quick to brush it off as such.  After all I’ve got two little kids at home and I’m attempting to start a business. If I brushed writing off, no one would blame me.  But it’s not that.   I’m not …

Have years of silencing women damaged the church beyond repair?

When you put limitations on God’s flock, you’re challenging God’s omnipotence. If you claim that He cannot use women as pastors or elders or in any other leadership capacity, then you are debunking your own belief that God is all-powerful and capable of performing His will through even the most unlikely candidate.

Abortion: A Viable Solution or Just Another Way to Control Women?

When I was twenty-something weeks along with my oldest daughter, the topic of abortion came up at an ultrasound.  It was my fourth ultrasound, as my normal OB had sent me to a specialist in order to investigate a spot they saw on my child’s heart. This specialist looked at the ultrasound for a few …

Ode to the Fallen Soldier

To the father, the motherThe sister, the brotherThe friend, the loverThat never came home. It is hard to remember you properlyAs I never knew your name.'Course you didn’t know me eitherBut you fought for me just the same.I hope you don’t think I’m rudeIf I throw a barbequeTo celebrate the life I liveBecause of soldiers …

Good Friday: When your hands are full but your heart is empty

Have you ever spent all your time pouring into other people without being poured into yourself? It has been days, weeks, or months since you were able to do something purely for your enjoyment because life keeps interrupting.  You have this foreboding sense of doom because you can’t imagine it getting any worse, and yet …