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...
How to Use Your Smartphone to the Glory of God
When the iPhone was introduced to American society in 2007, everyone fell head over heels for this shiny, new, flashing rectangle of limitless possibilities. We dove right in. But who could comprehend how such a small piece of metal would change our lives as we knew it? I was only two years old then, and wouldn’t get a phone for many more years, though I am now as hooked as everyone else. But...
Three Firsts of Christ (and Three of Our Lasts)
During the holiday season, people usually start thinking about firsts. With the current year coming to a close and the new one right around the corner, thousands of enthusiasts around the world create resolutions they hope to fulfill. While making a list of things you hope to accomplish is a great idea, the amount of people who actually stick with and complete those goals is fairly thin. This...
Cultivating Space for a Glorious, Close Savior
From my childhood to my late twenties, there is scarcely anything more magical to look forward to than Christmas. Nostalgia is a precious thing. Sights, smells, and sounds all take us back to a place where we were warm, happy, safe. For me the embodiment of that contented state goes back to the holidays. I’ll never forget when the magic of Christmas was especially strong for me growing up in...
3 Practical Ways to Rebel Against Low Expectations
Actions speak louder than words. Sound familiar? I’m guessing it does. The thing is though, our actions don’t speak–they scream. Our actions are the thing that sets us apart from everyone and everything around us, including the low expectations we are all trying to rebel against. People nowadays don’t have a high opinion of teenagers. They don’t consider us respectful or responsible, and their...
The Lie About Time Every Busy Teen Believes
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! I groan and fumble in the dark to find my phone. I squint to make out the time. 6:30a.m. I wriggle out of bed and begin getting ready for school. The next thirty minutes are a blur. I finally make it to the car with my breakfast in one hand and my Spanish flashcards in the other. The school day passes by uneventfully. Classes, tests, quizzes, and lunch just like every other day...
Reflections on To-Do Lists, Priorities, and the Book of Haggai
Nearly every morning, I roll out of bed with a phone in hand, click on my Notes app, and scroll through my list of to-dos for the day. After breakfast, I hastily move onto Bible study. As I flip through the pages of the current biblical book I’m studying (1 Peter), I glance at the time every few minutes. With each glance, I flip the page and scan the text more urgently than before. I soon move on...
3 Principles Every Christian Influencer Needs to Implement
There are three principles that many Christian influencers have unintentionally ignored for far too long. Whether you are a blogger, an evangelist, or even a social media savvy Christian teen, these principles are essential to successfully sharing the gospel of Christ and influencing others to follow Him. If you feel like your ministry is running dry, or your inspiration isn’t as steady as it...
3 Principles for Living Out Your God-given Purpose
At some point in our lives, we have all asked the question, “What is my purpose?” In response, we face a multitude of answers. But as Christians, one response stands out above the rest. Our purpose—the reason for which something is done or created—is to bring glory to our Refuge and Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. That answer comes simply, but it forces us to chew on another question, “How can I...
Why “I’ll Do it Later” is Problematic
Recently, I participated in a play with my classmates. The theme was the relationship between God and humans. I played the part of an average human. In the play, the human is lying on the couch when their phone dings. There are two notifications, one from God, and one from their friends. Do you know what they did? The human ignores God’s invitation to be together, and instead, goes to their...