Loving the Church

I just read this post on Henri Nouwen's website, Bread for the Journey: 


"Loving the Church often seems close to impossible. Still, we must keep reminding ourselves that all people in the Church - whether powerful or powerless, conservative or progressive, tolerant or fanatic - belong to that long line of witnesses moving through this valley of tears, singing songs of praise and thanksgiving, listening to the voice of their Lord, and eating together from the bread that keeps multiplying as it is shared. When we remember that, we may be able to say, "I love the Church, and I am glad to belong to it."

Loving the Church is our sacred duty. Without a true love for the Church, we cannot live in it in joy and peace. And without a true love for the Church, we cannot call people to it."

I Am What I Do

This Sunday, Gregg will conclude our Identity Theft series with I Am What I Do.

I have found myself believing the powerful lie that says my worth comes from what I do. This mentality for years led me to live as if my performance was what made me valuable. I would do, do, do…add, add, add wearing myself out to prove my worth and significance. This mentality kept me in bondage through most of my high school years as I battled an eating disorder. I thought if I looked a certain way and accomplished a lot of great things, then I would be content.

When we live this way, we wrongly derive our identity from what we accomplish, what we have and what people think about us. What we do shouldn’t define us. The one who created us should define who we are. If we are not allowing the truth of God’s word to define who we are, then something else will define us.

Our culture sends a lot of messages about achieving success and attaining “outer” beauty, but very little guidance is given as to how we can develop inner peace, beauty and contentment. We’re left to figure a lot of it out for ourselves. Developing this worth doesn’t come from trying harder. It’s not about doing more. It’s believing the truth about God and how He sees you. It’s about becoming the woman that He created you to be. 

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity

Last night, Gregg and I began a small group for parents. We’re reading and discussing a new book called, Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof. It was a great turnout: 20 adults and 12 children!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve often felt as if the immense job and responsibility of parenthood stretches me beyond my limit. The job requires far beyond my capacity to give.

A couple of months ago, I was painfully reminded of how ill-equipped and incapable I am as a parent and how dependent I am on God and others for help, wisdom and encouragement.

About 6am one morning, Gregg and I were awoken from our sleep by the sound of someone knocking loudly on our front door. Gregg pulled himself out of bed to go to the door to see who was disturbing us so early in the morning. It was our 14-year-old daughter, Rebecca, covered in a blanket, looking disheveled. When Gregg opened the door and Becca announced, “Thanks a lot, you locked me out of the house last night and I had to sleep in the car!” We thought she had gone to sleep, but apparently she had gone outside to look at the stars before heading to bed.

Thankfully, I’m slowly learning and realizing something which we discussed at length last night: God isn’t holding up a perfect picture of a perfect family; He’s writing a bigger story.

I find that very refreshing. God doesn't have this unattainable standard for me. He wants to, and is more that able to use my family just the way we are. Here are just a few of my book notes from last night’s group:

• It seems like God is more interested in using broken people that He is in creating a better picture.
• If you were to invite God into your less-than-ideal story and learn to cooperate with whatever He wants to do in your life, the dynamic of your family could radically change.
• What if our purpose as parents is to illuminate the bigger story, to influence the next generation to experience God in a more genuine way.
• The family exists, even in its imperfection, to display the heart of God to every generation.

It's not to late to join! Call the church office to register. 

Great to Be Home!

I just returned from a wonderful week in Nashville. It was an incredible time of seeing old friends and making many new ones. The retreat of which I was a part inspired and encouraged me to continue to press on in my role as a pastor’s wife and church planter.

I don’t leave town often…rarely alone. The last time I did was over three years ago. While I was away, Gregg conveniently lost two of our children at a water park. (In his defense, the boys were standing in a long line and Gregg ran to the car to get something. While he was gone, lightning struck and they closed the park and evacuated everyone.)

Upon handing Gregg the children’s sports and school schedule before leaving he commented, “It will be a miracle if I don’t lose someone, somewhere.” Comforting.

Thankfully after this trip, all of our children are accounted for. The only casualty seems to be a bird that Jessie found and hoped to nurse back to health. The dog discovered it this morning in the backyard. 


I just found out why all of my children smell. Jessie says they didn't take baths all week. Great to be home. 


Editor's comment: Gregg adamantly just assured me that all of the children were thoroughly bathed while I was away.