I went to a small Bible school lost in the cornfields of Ohio, Cedarville University. A loose thread, faded in some spots and busily wandering into a work I thought I was creating. I sewed myself into the fabric of Cedarville with big dreams, high expectations, and a busy schedule. Each spring Cedarville hosts a Missions conference capturing what's going on around the world, inspiring students to join God's work and casting vision for what is possible. At the end of the conf

“In the days when the judges ruled there was famine in the land…” – Ruth 1:1 Some days I feel like I live in the days of the Judges. I belong to an email group. It’s a group of seven women from around the country who have randomly been brought together through heartache; married, single, mothers, daughters, and sisters. We don’t know each other in person and we’re boldly sharing our stories, our hopes, our fears, our grief, and our gladness with one another. I’ve wept reading

Confession: My heart is wayward. As wayward as they come. I’d love to say it is constant, faithful, loyal, and steadfast to what I know is truth, but that would be a lie. A lie that if I believed I'd succumb further into my waywardness. But when I recognize my wayward heart and it’s insidious ways, I have the opportunity to surrender my unruliness and step into the righteousness of Jesus that is faithful, steadfast, and true. Over time I realize I’m no better than Old Testame

Six years ago a friend of mine got married. She was completely ecstatic and elated to finally be with the man she adored. And she adored him. It seemed like there was NOTHING this man could ever do wrong. Totally untrue, but that’s the impression I got. Every morning she came into work glowing with their newly married life, and when there was a controversy it took very little time for mending to begin. She could even gush about the beauty of their fights and conflict resoluti

When I was a kid my brother and I used to play this game. One of us would yell, “Trust fall!” The other would close their eyes and fall backwards, hoping to be caught. Originally it started out really fun. Closing my eyes, free falling backwards, sometimes for what felt like eternity to be caught at the last second. But then something happened. One of us, I’m not sure who, got the grand idea to yell, “Trust fall!” and when we started falling stepped out of the way so the fal

As I examine the renovation of my heart Jesus doesn’t just leave me at repentance and surrender, he calls me to action, to belief. He doesn’t just invite me into a room and begin tearing down walls and rebuilding them, he shows me how and hands me a tool to join him in the process. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” - Mark 1:15 The renovation of my heart is an opportunity for the Kingdom and the gospel of repentance

Relationships, they have a way of bringing us to our knees and taking an honest look at the conditions of our heart. Recently, I’ve been brought to this inward assessment and candid examination. I’ve been thrown into honest inward review and surrendering to the agonizing sanctification (becoming like Jesus) Jesus has designed for me. I’ve realized my heart is a home, full of dark and twisty hallways, boarded and locked doors lining these winding corridors. I’ve allowed Jesu

I have need. I have deep, deep need. A need that begins and ends with Jesus. It seems as soon as I realize my neediness, I move into a season acknowledging my need, but I’m unwilling to recognize the depth. Still, God always moves me to places where he shows me my need is deeper still. My need keeps me in the place of knowing who I am in relation to a steadfast, loving father. Too often I try to act like these needs don’t exist. Is it just an American thing to think we’re inc