How did I become skeptical of revivals? From attending many of them. I grew up in churches that offered week-long revival services. One particularly memorable revival featured a preacher who spoke every night about Christ’s second coming, frightening me with images of hell and being left behind if Christ should happen to return at a moment when I was screwing up. I went to the altar at the end of the services to confess my sins “just in case.” At my evangelical Christian college, students were required to attend revival services every semester. During one of our chapel services in … Continue reading Revival of a Skeptic

Last week, I walked into my daughter’s school to pick her up from her Brownies troop meeting. As I walked down the halls, I kept thinking about the elementary school in Sandy Hook where a young man carried in 4 guns, killing 20 children and 6 adults. That school probably looked a lot like this one, I thought. A colorful bulletin board urging students to “Imagine. Believe. Achieve.” Little boots lined up next to lockers. Crayon self-portraits neatly displayed. It could happen here played over and over in my mind. A generous dose of denial – “it will never happen in my community” – isn’t … Continue reading Solving Mass Shootings: Disagreement is A Good Thing

Earlier this year, I began fitness walking in my neighborhood. Throughout the spring and summer, I’ve walked these same streets more than a hundred times. But over the last few weeks, I’ve been seeing them differently. This morning, the weather was so chilly that my … Continue reading The Creator Makes Beautiful Things

My artist friend, Shirley, asked for photos of our neighborhood park. Here you go, Shirley! Notice the white spire of our church building in the background. Continue reading Photos of Devon-Aire Park

This week, I have been thinking hard about the self-identified Christians making news. Some believe their religious freedom is under attack. They are fighting back by seeking to legalize discrimination. I was actually going to write an entire post about that … Continue reading “Blessed are those who defend their rights,” said nobody, ever.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (I John 3:18). Did you ever notice that it’s sometimes easier to provide special acts of service to people outside of your family? If … Continue reading Acts of Service at Home: A Love Language

Last week on Foodie Friday, I shared my recipe for homemade pizza dough. I have discovered that my kids are much more inclined to try new foods if pizza dough is somehow involved. Here are five of my most favorite ideas. (Some of these recipes call for store-bought dough, but I recommend you save yourself some money and make one from scratch.) Stromboli My 6-year-old won’t eat a ham sandwich, but tell him you’re making stromboli for dinner and he will think he’s having a great treat! Preheat oven to 400°. Coat two 13″ x 18″ baking sheets with cooking … Continue reading Mom’s Secret Weapon for the Picky Eater: Pizza Dough | 5 Recipes