For the month of September we are sharing a recipe from a friend serving the kingdom of God in different parts over the world. The idea is while you are making the recipe you are also covering the individual or team in prayer. We are practicing BEING the Church and eating some amazing food.
Week One is Germany from Rachel + Johnny!
If you have spent time in the Christian community, you have probably heard comparable stories from missionaries; stories that we celebrate and become excited about. We celebrate the fruitful ministries and the preparation that took place beforehand. We celebrate that they learned the culture so well that they knew how they would best understand the Gospel without compromising Scripture.
But why don’t we have this same perspective about our own mission field in America?
Read More “Ugh, I’m so lazy - I just don’t want to do ANYTHING.”
Yep, me too. I get it. Those days where you spend 90% of your time thinking about all of the things you should be doing and only 10% of your time actually kind of doing the things? Super sucks. And we all know how much God hates laziness, right? I mean, there are a bunch of Proverbs about how being a “sluggard” will bring us poverty and shoot, sloth is one of the seven deadly sins! Yikes. We’re all lazy and we’re all screwed. Right?
I don’t think so, actually.
Art’s value has decreased in the digital age, and the majority of people would rather scarf down a dozen small, insubstantial crumbs of entertainment rather than take time to chew on a satisfying work that is true art. It can be a difficult world for an artist, as culture increasingly disregards art in favor of anything but art.
So where do artists find the value in their work? Where do artists find value in their talents and unique gifts? As one who has been in the world of art for many years, and as one who is a creator made by the Creator, I feel I have the standing to share my perspective with you.
Read MoreGod had showed her a new truth and a new purpose. While the days still aren’t easy, Wendy has found freedom from depression and freedom to express herself, her triumphs and defeats through stories and poetry on her website.
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Featuring an Interview with and two poems by Wendy Chin founder of the Good News website.
I have never been the person that needs to be right. I am the more, "whatever you need to keep the peace" kind of friend. I willingly chosen to "be" wrong, because it matters to you, friend, that you are right. And frankly, you matter to me! So I don't care that much about being wrong. Whether "I'm wrong" about little facts I don't know as well as you like musicians or calories in avocado toast. Or maybe "I'm wrong" about bigger theology things, or social justice issues that are on your heart and not mine. Whatever it is, I just wanted to say:
Read MoreIt has been over a year since my husband and I got married.
Outside. In the mountains. Oh, and it snowed heavily during our ceremony.
It was all my idea. He supported every bit.
I was a fairly independent wanderer before and during our dating relationship. Marrying Cameron never seemed like a ball and chain to me. Never. Not before we started dating, not in the middle, not until it was a few days before he proposed. I didn't know for certain he was going to propose, but I knew it was coming. I was cheering for it to happen sooner than later. But I remember freaking out when it actually did.
The first time I wanted to be married was when I was 16. I was a toddling Christian and the idea of being committed to one person sounded so freeing. There were pastors and their wives all around in my youth group and I loved their relationships. They were committed to God and each other. I saw freedom in that commitment. But it was not the right timing, the right me, or the way God willed it.
Read MoreI remember the first time I was called ugly. I was 12 years old.
At that particular moment my inner thoughts, the things I was harboring in my heart, were blurted out for all to hear.
I was playing a game of volleyball with my classmates and overheard the conversation.
“Kara? She’s ugly.”
I looked over at the sound of my name, my face beginning to burn as it turned bright red.
The boy who said it didn’t know I was within earshot. His back was facing me. But the wide-eyed look on his friend’s face told him I was right behind him. He turned around and we made eye contact. He looked sorry but never said a word. I immediately turned away and pretended I heard nothing.
You see, I was never completely satisfied with what I looked like. I was shorter than everyone else. I hit puberty later than everybody else. Up to that point, I was never the girl boys liked. Or at least I was never liked by the boys I wanted to be liked by. In my eyes, I was the small, goodie-two-shoes with a low ponytail, braces and everything that boy said that day: ugly.
Read MoreI have not experienced mental illness before but I know friends who have, in varying degrees of severity. I have friends who feel ashamed to mention that they need therapy and are seeing a counselor; friends who think that this means that they aren’t good enough or “Christian” enough; friends who feel that because of it, they aren’t accepted or welcome in the Church.
And that's precisely why I want to hold space for people struggling with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, anorexia, panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, psychosis and more.
So here I am, just a person, just another Jesus-follower, telling the world that it is time to talk about mental health. Because they are people, too.
Read MoreSo, you can imagine my shock when I realized that my tears were drying up. I wasn’t doing the one thing I did well: loving people. I found myself numb in church, lethargic in compassion, and ambivalent about almost everything. Bitterness became my idol in place of Jesus. Having grown up in the church, I was taught that doing more is holier. No one said that explicitly of course, but my overflowing schedule was applauded when really I was looking for affirmation and a sense of place at the root of much of my busyness. I quickly busied myself in ministry and with believers with no boundaries or self-care. My anger towards Christians and the church festered as I felt used and taken advantage of when really I lacked boundaries and an ability to forgive believers for being human (like me).
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