Blog
Don’t Skip These 5 Thanksgiving Questions
Thanksgiving can be hard. Preparation, cooking, family tension, and travel are all things that can make Thanksgiving a difficult holiday. In fact, one study shows that "three in five Americans say they’d rather do something else rather than reflect on what they’re...
Can I Move Forward Past Fear? Here’s One Way…
Fear has this way of making us feel weak and small. Sometimes it doesn't even matter what we are afraid of, the emotional turmoil and stress can affect us in really powerful ways. My daughter's name means Brave and Courageous, and we often try to affirm these things...
Bad Leaders Need to be Needed, Good Leaders Need to be Succeeded
I have always been the type of person to be willing to step in to leadership areas. I see a hole, and I offer to step in to fill it, no matter whether I'm competent in that area, or if it's going to be a learning experience. That means that I served in leadership...
“My Church has Changed.”
"My church has changed. I barely recognize it anymore." This was a somber statement. Not one of critique or anger, just a fact. One that brought a certain measure of sadness with it. I had been visiting with an older member of the church, sharing a cup of coffee and...
Where to Read the Whole Christmas Story
When I was growing up, my family had a few special Christmas traditions. One of the ones I remember most was my dad sitting us down on Christmas (I don't remember if it was before or after presents) and reading the Christmas story from the Bible. My dad wasn't a very...
How Do I Find Someone to Disciple? (Discipleship for Beginners)
Right as Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, after beating death and proving that he was King over all creation, the last thing he said to his followers was, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them […] and teaching them to obey everything I have...
Stumble Forward Into Sabbath | Sabbath Series Part 4
Don't let perfectionism or the fear of failure keep you from the joys of learning to Sabbath as a family. Don't delay one more minute from trying the practice of Sabbath because it will truly change your life. Hi, I'm Drew, and I am a recovering perfectionist. (Hiiiii...
What to INCLUDE for True Sabbath | Sabbath Series Part 3
Today I'm going to share with you three things that you want to make sure to include in a Sabbath day so that it's a true Sabbath that is rejuvenating and worshipful, and not just another day off to speed through. I'm not an expert, but I've been slowly learning how...
What NOT to Do for Sabbath | Sabbath Series Part 2
One things you should definitely NOT do when you're trying to Sabbath is feel guilt or shame for "doing it wrong." If you are like me, and are slowly growing in this as a new practice, then give yourself grace! In this post, I'm going to share with you three things to...
What is Sabbath and Why Should Everyone Do It? | Sabbath Series Part 1
What is Sabbath? Isn't it some old-timey religious thing from the Bible? Should I be "doing" Sabbath if I'm a Jesus-follower? Today, I'm going to tell you what Sabbath is and why everyone should be doing it! A few years ago, I was supposed to be in the prime of my...
Too Much Screen Time for Your Kids?
Is your kid glued to screens too much? More than any other generation, young people today are surrounded by screens. As parents, we know it's not the best for them, but it's hard to fight them constantly about being on their phone or the computer. That's why I wanted...
Eat a Meal, Give a Meal – Part 5 of 5 Easy Ways to Serve as a Family
Did you ever notice that Jesus spent a lot of his life around food? Maybe that's because we all do, with 21 meals a week for the average person to enjoy. Or maybe it's because he understood how food brings people together. The smells. The texture. The smiles from...
“Irresistible” by Andy Stanley – BOOK REVIEW
Why do people like Jesus, but don’t really like the church? Why are there so many divisions between Christian denominations? Why are there less and less people with each generation who value being a part of a church community? Andy Stanley tackles some questions like...
Volunteer Your Voice – Part 4 of 5 Easy Ways to Serve as a Family
Did you know that there is a great way to let your kids use your phone while also growing to be more like the character of Jesus? No, it doesn't have to do with the Bible App. They can show love to someone by simply talking to them on the phone and showing them some...
Raise Awareness and Money – Part 3 of 5 Easy Ways to Serve as a Family
We've been exploring ways to serve others as a family, and this week we're looking at ways to get involved in BIGGER projects. "R" stands for "Raise Awareness and Money" Sometimes, we want to make a difference in something that is too big for our family to accomplish...
Encourage Essential Workers – Part 2 of 5 Easy Ways to Serve as a Family
We've been talking about simple actions you can take as a family to bless other people this summer. These are all simple little things that could easily become part of your family rhythm throughout the year as you help your kids grow into the character of Jesus as...
“How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge” by Clay Scroggins – Book Review
"The way to lead is to serve, and the way to create something great is to give people space to thrive in the way God has gifted each one."Clay Scroggins Have you ever heard the phrase, "if I were in charge, I'd do _________"…? Maybe you've said that exact phrase. (I...
5 Easy Ways to SERVE as a Family – Part 1
This month, we're practicing different ways to serve our neighbors as a family in 5 simple ways. Each of these activities can be done with all ages, and they are all things that can be done throughout the year. So please give these a try with your family, and see if...
How to Help Your Kid Overcome Anxiety
For a lot of us, this past year was a year of firsts—the first time we attended every meeting in sweatpants, the first time we let a significant other cut our hair (thank goodness we weren’t allowed in public), and the first time we skipped going to the gym for an...
“You Are What You Love” by James K. A. Smith
“If ‘you-are-what-you-think,’ then filling your thinking organ with Bible verses should translate into Christlike character, right? If ‘you-are-what-you-think,’ then changing what you think should change who you are, right? Right?” “If ‘you-are-what-you-think,’ then...
What Does the Bible Say About Race?
Our world seems to be constantly in upheaval right now, and many of us are experiencing a personal unraveling of our "norm" as we are forced into new rhythms at home and at work, unlearning our routines and picking up new habits, and trying to navigate the emotional...
“The Unstuck Church” by Tony Morgan
“In order for me to do what God is calling me to do, I have to equip God’s people to do his work.” Book ?? Of 2019, “The Unstuck Church,” by Tony Morgan, is a handbook and diagnostic tool for churches of all sizes and shapes that comes directly from Morgan’s years of...
“The Radical Pursuit of Rest” by John Koessler
“Rest is not an inner state that can be produced by thinking a certain way or placing ourselves in the right conditions. It is obtained only by entering into a relationship. When we find Christ, we find rest.” Book ?? Of 2019, "The Radical Pursuit of Rest,” by John...
“Prophet” by Frank Peretti
“John Barrett heard God speak when he was ten years old.” “Prophet,” by Frank Peretti, was an interesting read from the author of the two “Darkness” books I read last year. I found this at a used book store and bought it purely on the name of the author, even though I...
“Being Christian” by Rowan Williams
“Being in the neighborhood of Jesus is sharing Jesus’ freedom to *invite* — to make our lives and our communities places of welcome for those most deeply in need of solidarity, of fellowship.” Book ?? Of 2019, “Being Christian,” by Rowan Williams is a beautiful little...
“The Ships of Earth” by Orson Scott Card
You guys, I’m telling you: Orson Scott Card writes stories that connect you to your own humanity in a way like no other author. “The Ships of Earth,” by Orson Scott Card, is the third installment in his “Homecoming Saga” (link in bio, code “HOMECOMING”), which follows...
“Philokalia”
“Of all the commandments, therefore, the most comprehensive is to love God and our neighbor. This love is made firm through abstaining from physical things, and through stillness of thought.” Book ?? Of 2019, “Philokalia,” is a collection of various quotes and wise...
“Interior Castle” by St. Theresa of Avila
This was a hard read for me. Book ?? Of 2019, “Interior Castle,” by St. Theresa of Avila is half journal and half guidebook for developing a prayer life. Written by St. Theresa when she was only about 20 years old for the sake of her fellow nuns in her order, the book...