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8 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Themselves

{The 8 Questions are Near the Bottom of the Post} If you are anything like me, you are aware of your own selfish sin, and see it played out in the little mini-me running around your home everyday? And the more children you have, the more you see it right? I recently read a fantastic book. One that is worth reading for your own personal edification and spiritual growth, but also from the perspective of [...]

Redeeming Halloween Resources

Do we participate in the annual halloween festivities that our culture pushes?  This is the age old question I believe all parents for generations have struggled with. Don't you?   Regardless of how different things are today than they were when our parents were raising us, the reality is, this question still haunts parents today. I have often talked with other moms about the challenge we have as first generation parents who are not only [...]

The Great Church Search: Prayerfully Seeking vs. Selfishly Shopping

Church Shopping It sounds like such a consumerist mentality to finding a new church home. Yet, I myself have been guilty of casually referring to this season of church visiting as such. What other term is there to eloquently describe the season where one {or a family} is intentionally looking for a church to call their home? When we were preparing to relocate our family we were put in the position of needing to find a [...]

By |June 19th, 2014|Blog, Community, Faith, Family Discipleship|2 Comments

Lessons from the Vineyard on Brokenness

Just a short few weeks ago we began our intentional studies and remembrance traditions leading up to the crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Coincidentally, these past few weeks have been unusually warm for the Pacific Northwest, inspiring new growth that the awakening of Spring brings. And when there is growth, I am beckoned outside to tend my garden and vineyard. Yes there is weeding to do, grass to mow, but the very [...]

By |May 1st, 2014|All About Jesus, Blog, Faith, Gardening|2 Comments

Illuminate Through Brokenness

About a month ago I was offered the opportunity to write on letting God's light shine through brokenness. And just as any other time when I speak on a topic, the Lord allows me to recall and deepen my understanding of my own experiences and those I am impacted by in this life. This past month there has been much to ponder. Have you ever felt broken? Unfixable items often go into the trash in our culture. And often [...]

By |April 30th, 2014|Blog, Faith|0 Comments

Is Poking Fun a Sin? | A Deeper Look at Relationships

About two months ago I wrote the post, I Sinned Against My Husband {Part 1}. But what you don't know is that, the day before, I really did sin against my husband, by poking fun at him. That post, this series, was inspired by the ugliness I saw in myself that Sunday morning while getting ready for church {of all days}. But I knew that I needed to spend some time truly examining this common communication [...]

By |March 24th, 2014|Blog, Faith, Family Discipleship, Marriage|5 Comments

Redeeming the Division: Cultivating Unity Among Women

This past month I had the pleasure at speaking at Good Shepherd Community Church {here is the audio if you can view the video below} on one of the topics I most passionate about. You are probably thinking, oh she spoke on birth... nope. There is actually a lot more to me than "pregnancy, childbirth and all things prego." You might not know this, but one of the reasons I wrote Redeeming Childbirth first {yes [...]

By |March 7th, 2014|Blog, Faith, Friendship|16 Comments

I Sinned Against My Husband Part 1

I sinned against my husband. Maybe you have too? It was a normal Saturday morning, and I got up to make breakfast. In my heart, I wasn't doing it because I wanted to. I had hungry children. As I stumbled out of bed, that's when it began... the resentment. Why was I the one getting out of bed to cook? I am just as tired as he is, I thought to myself. As I walked [...]

By |February 8th, 2014|Blog, Friendship, Marriage, Reflections|9 Comments

Either Way

Do you believe in miracles? Do you see them in the everyday? We read of Jesus miracles throughout the gospels, as He healed {Luke 18:35-43, Mark 5:21-43 & 6:53-56, Matt. 9 & 15:29 for example}, as He provided food for the multitudes {Matt. 14:13-21}, He calmed storms {Mark 4:35}, He walked on water {Mark 6:45}, cast out and healed those with demons {Luke 9:37}, and perhaps the most amazing miracle of Jesus was His forgiveness [...]

By |January 24th, 2014|Blog, Prayer, Reflections|9 Comments

I’m Married to an Entrepreneur & We’re Still Happy

For those of you who don't know my husband Isaac, he is an entrepreneur at heart. This is just how God wired him. He's a natural born leader, an innovative thinker. And people like him, don't THRIVE being put in a box. Who does really? But you get my point. For the entirety of our marriage, Isaac has enjoyed being in the business of 'building' people. Anyone who has ever been married to a self-employed, [...]

By |January 6th, 2014|Blog, Business, Marriage|3 Comments