“The ultimate test of one's faith is his ability to say ‘But if not.’" - Martin Luther King Jr. On Sunday, our pastor challenged us to listen to one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s sermons. So, I listened to and read through the transcript of his sermon “But If Not” from 1967. In reading through … Continue reading But If Not – MLK Day reflections
writing
My word for 2022.
Abide. When you pick a word of the year that’s immediately put to the test, you know it must be good. My word for 2022 is abide. The Greek word for abide, meno, means to remain or to stay and it denotes a sense of permanency. It comes from John 15:5: “I am the vine, … Continue reading My word for 2022.
Advent, bonus week // Starting weak
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is always a weird one for me. The magic of December is quickly outpaced by the incoming grind of January and the pressure to "start the year off strong.” But there was one final thought from the book of Habakkuk that I wanted to share as a bookend … Continue reading Advent, bonus week // Starting weak
Advent, week 4 // Even if
Advent is just as much about remembering as it is about anticipating. We can rest assured that God will be faithful again because of his faithfulness in the past. After two chapters of Habakkuk’s wondering and questioning, we see him make a switch in chapter three, called “Habakkuk’s Prayer.” He begins to recall victories and … Continue reading Advent, week 4 // Even if
Advent, week 3 // Though it tarry
In a season known for its hustle and bustle, the idea of waiting may feel a bit dissonant. But as we learn from the book of Habakkuk, and from celebrating Advent year after year, our questions aren't always answered in the way – or in the timeframe – we think they should be. In Habakkuk … Continue reading Advent, week 3 // Though it tarry
Advent, week 2 // When the questions come.
In my first Advent devotional I talked about how the book of Habakkuk starts with a question: how long? Maybe that’s how your Advent started as well. And maybe it’s not the only question you’re asking this season. As we go on to read the rest of the book, we see a series of questions … Continue reading Advent, week 2 // When the questions come.
Advent 2021: Promises from Habakkuk
I am not good at waiting. I’m not a naturally patient person. And yet, Advent is one of my favorite times of year. A season that is ALL about anticipation, all about waiting. A season that we’re about to enter into. This year instead of just reading about Advent, I wanted to write about it. … Continue reading Advent 2021: Promises from Habakkuk
Lord, what about him?
"Lord, what about him?" - John 21:21 Even the disciples were susceptible to comparison. In the second half of John 21 we come across a section called “Jesus Reinstates Peter.” Throughout this exchange, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him and commands him to take care of his sheep. Each repeated question a … Continue reading Lord, what about him?
Keep knocking.
One of my favorite parts about summer is Pierce being home in the mornings. Normally he's already out the door and in his classroom before my alarm even goes off. But during the summer, we get to spend the mornings together, part of which includes praying and reading the Bible (usually on our back porch … Continue reading Keep knocking.
Say no (and mean it)
The Internet is buzzing about Simone Biles. And while her decision to press pause on competing in the Olympics speaks volumes about the importance of mental health and self-care and so much else, there was one thing that really stood out to me about this historic moment: the strength it takes to say no and … Continue reading Say no (and mean it)
HJC 