10/1 ((from Bridget)) FREEDOM! When I hear that word, two distinctly different images come to mind: The first is from the 1970s classic, “Animal House,” with John Belushi in his toga, toilet paper hanging from every rafter, and a room embracing the lack of any direction, constraint, or restriction… FREEDOM!!! The more “civilized” side of…

09/30 ((from Eve)) As I think about what it means to experience freedom in our walks with the Lord, I realize that I have far more questions than I do answers. For example: When have you felt the most free? A few weeks ago, I read Rebekah Lyons’, “You Are Free: Be Who You Already…

9/29 ((from Courtney)) “We are freed from men, and freed to God.” Doug Wilson “For freedom Christ has set us free…” Galatians 5:1 I am a chronic people pleaser. For years it crippled my life and shaped my decisions. In many cases, it kept me from dangerous decisions and unwise choices, but in far many more instances,…

9/28 ((from Jessica)) It’s 9:33 AM and not only is my daughter parked on the couch in front of a full-length movie with a ginormous bowl of popcorn, but she is also wearing 18-month-old jammies she started wearing on Sunday. Folks, it’s Tuesday and she’s 3. And as I sit on the other couch drinking a…

9/27 ((from Megan)) When I think of what this idea of “ministry” is, whether vocational or intertwined with the work marketplace, parenthood, or family – it is the joyful joining of God in meeting needs in Christ Jesus. Moving His kingdom forward inch by inch by His power and your gifting. Planting seeds of truth….

9/26 ((from Natalie)) As we walked home from a fancy celebratory dinner I turned to him and asked.  “In what ways am I better than who you married 10 years ago?”  Without much hesitation he said, “You’re more emotionally stable and I’d say you have a better sense of who you are now.” I paused,…

9/25 ((from Kate)) Freedom is breathing deeply and feeling fully and being loosed from chains. Freedom is the release from that weight that crushes your sternum and your spirit, it’s the relief from whatever’s enslaved us. In ninth grade I stuck a tiny gold pin on my backpack that I’d been given at a visit…

9/24 ((from Bridget)) God has such a great sense of humor, don’t you think? I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago.  While my parents spoke of our distant farming relatives, I was content with skyscrapers and concrete sidewalks and was turning out to be quite a city girl, through and through.  Once…

9/23 ((from Eve)) You’re in a huge crowd of people who’ve come to see, hear, and hopefully interact with Jesus. You’ve heard about Him, and you think He really might be the Messiah, but you’re not entirely sure. He’s been healing people and teaching in synagogues and you just have to see if for yourself….

9/22 ((from Courtney)) Mosquitoes are attacking my ankle. As I write this, two children are clamoring for pretzels and another one is sobbing because all I’m offering is pretzels. An Easter hat is perched on my head. Not my hat. It’s my three-year-old’s hat. Inside the house there is a pot of beans simmering for…

9/21 ((from Jessica)) If I had a $1 .50 cents for every time my 3 year old daughter makes a “snack request” before 10 AM, I would be able to put her through college without a single minute spent on figuring out the whole FAFSA circus. Seriously, Sallie Mae could just kiss my loan goodbye…

9/20 ((from Megan)) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl…