rebelling against low expectations
“Oh, one other thing!” I momentarily paused my pacing and tried to find the words to say. “You still think of me platonically, right?” The silence stretched way too long. “Uh oh.” I slid to the hard, cold floor. Peter and I were friends. Good friends. We encouraged and challenged each other, prayed for each other, and gave each other relationship advice about other people. “Well . . .” As Peter...
We live in the shadows of rejected Light, Where darkness praises morning’s thief; Yet one day soon, dawn shall burn bright. We live in the lowlands of earth’s broken blight, Where death is claiming victory; We live in the shadows of rejected Light. Our souls rest trembling in the night, Our spirits bound in faint belief; Yet we know soon, dawn shall burn bright. And we deeply bear these words I...
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “love conquers all”? For me, it’s Disney movies. The power of love gets so much coverage in fairy-tale retellings. Kissing the princess turns the frog back into a prince, Rapunzel’s tears save her love interest’s life, Belle’s love turns the Beast back into a human and saves his life—there seems to be a pattern here...
About a year ago, I went for a walk with my grandfather, and he said to me, “You know, when you get married someday, the man you marry will not be the same man you are married to five years later.” I was shocked for a moment and felt a little confused that my beloved grandfather didn’t think my marriage would last. But then he kept speaking, “Your husband will change,” he said, “and so will you...
He was tired, burnt out, and needed a good meal. I couldn’t give him a hug. He was graduating! I couldn’t cheer or take pictures or bring him a gift. It was his birthday. I couldn’t make him a cake or throw him a party. And so instead, I stared at a circle, leg bouncing, waiting for the call to reconnect. Wishing I could be there for him. Wishing I could take care of him. Wishing I could do...
“When something more than human seeking is needed if seeking is to be satisfied, then calling means that seekers themselves are sought.” –Os Guinness, The Call How many times do you think to yourself “I should seek God more” on a regular day? That question, believe it or not, is not meant to convict you. In fact, I bet you ask yourself that question more often than you think, “God truly seeks me...
Editor’s Note: We’re thrilled to welcome Gary Thomas to the Reb today! His book The Sacred Search is an excellent resource for Christ-centered relationships and choosing a spouse wisely. This article was originally published on February 13, 2020. When Tom Cruise—playing Jerry Maguire—uttered those now famous words, “You complete me,” he was married to his second wife, Nicole Kidman...
Have you ever thought about what would happen if relationships as we see them in today’s romance movies existed in the real world? Would they endure once the crisis subsided, the stage lights dimmed, and the characters settled into everyday life together? My guess is probably not. The emphasis of chemistry over compatibility-based relationships in modern media sets unrealistic standards for...
“I promise I’m yours… I promise I’ll love you forever and ever and always… to the end of time, I won’t change my mind…” (“Forever and Ever and Always” by Ryan Mack) Staring out the window of the airplane, the words of the love song stabbed me. No one can truly promise me “forever.” Tears springing into my eyes, I remembered the exception to that statement. Jesus… People will leave you...
I was in my church class on Sunday, and it was almost over. We were about to pray and then be dismissed. One of the girls was praying about our relationship with God. After asking Him to help us love Him more, she added, “And help us to love ourselves too. Because it’s important to do that.” A flood of questions filled my brain. Is that right? Should we love ourselves? And above...
rebelling against low expectations
