“Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it." - Isaiah 8:12 The words of Isaiah 8:12 have been a source of both direction and comfort for me over the past three years as I've found myself in a new environment. Where fear threatened to swallow me whole, this verse offered me something different to hold on to and a way to overcome fear with faith. On this rainy morning, as I'm sitting down with a candle flic

Sunday School has an important role to play in how the faith of children takes shape. It's the important business of sowing seeds of faith & tending to them. This article is written from the perspective of someone who grew up in Sunday School, had Seminary training in "doing it well", and have led many kids programs - and have seen firsthand the benefits of Sunday School when it's done intentionally. But we might have made Sunday School the surrogate parent when it was only s

Sunday School has an important role to play. But we might have made it the surrogate parent when it was only supposed to be a helping hand. This article is written from the perspective of someone who grew up in Sunday School, had Seminary training in "doing it well", and have led many kids programs - but have found that there are clear limits to what Sunday School can do. While exploring limitations and weaknesses of typical ministry models, this article will also endeavor to

The first things we teach our children about God will be the foundation on which their faith grows for years to come. I may be a Practical Theologian with a Masters in Youth Work, but nobody prepared me for becoming a parent. In the months leading up to becoming a first time mom, I've thought a lot about the kind of relationship I want my baby to have with God. (First things first: Yes, I do believe that children can have real encounters with God. Read about that here.) This

A few weeks ago we sang an old hymn at church with the lyrics, "He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock". It moved me. I understood the words I was singing but only to a certain extent until I delved deeper into the Scripture it's based on. Join me for a short devotional reflection on Exodus 33:12-23 to discover what it means that God hides you in the cleft of the rock and how it affects the way we walk out our faith. May you find space here to pause, reflect, and abide. O

This diagram is an easy way to explain the Gospel message.

What is the meaning of Christmas gifts? Why do we do it, how can we redeem it, and what do we teach our children about it?

Some say that the modern world is the most individualistic society that has ever lived. Instead of a worldview where each person sees themselves as being part of a forest; each one sees themselves as a tree. People value self-expression and personal success over being a part of something. Although this worldview might have its roots in the West, the connected nature of the online world and media has caused it to spread like wildfire. But what if there’s a different story? Ea

This quick devotional on a famous verse from the Psalms describes how to embrace peace.

Discover 4 steps for becoming present and aware of God's presence in any moment.

A walk through the seasons in the Bible of Ecclesiastes and their effects on real life.

Sometimes we wonder where God is. The situation we are in is too desperate or too mundane and we cannot see Him at all.

Even in community, there is immeasurable worth in rest. Discover these 2 spiritual disciplines, how they overlap, and what sets them apart

There is a lot that I cannot do- but… I can love well. I can enjoy little things like flowers and coffee, and share those joys with others.

Identity and your reason for being is not a mystery. Discover the truth by asking your maker.

The boat that you find yourself in will look different from the person next to you. Yet there are some similarities that are universal...

"The Word of God is alive and active" -Hebrews 4:12 The Bible speaks about God as alive, the Word as God-breathed, and the ministry of Jesus and the apostles as filled with power. So why is our study of it all often so. very. stale.?Theology means the study of God (Theos) + (ology). It is faith seeking understanding. Why does theology feel dead? I have a suspicion that theology becomes lifeless whenever it becomes disconnected from the living God.

My step-by-step guide for ministry leaders who want outreach that is not just effective, but sustainable For some reason most Christian outreach & mission ideas are short-lived, and they often come at the expense of the person who felt it on their heart. Outreach often burns bright but fades quickly when systems, rhythms, and people are not supported. Why do we lose vision? How do we prevent burnout? And what can we do to ensure the ministry has a lasting impact? As someone w

Some thoughts on moving to a new place, taking leaps of faith, and blooming where you're planted.

This short devotional on Enoch in the Bible shows how you can break generational cycles in your own family through faith in and relationship with God