rebelling against low expectations
Memorizing Scripture was a big part of my life growing up. And by “big”, I mean I committed a few thousand verses to memory while competing in a Bible Quizzing league in my late teens. It may sound crazy (it definitely seemed impossible to me when I started), but devoting entire books of the Bible to memory almost word-perfectly is possible. It just takes time and dedication. But you...
Water–the thing we all need and yet we often take for granted. With taps, faucets, and bottles of it all about us, we hardly ever consider its availability. But when it is scare, it becomes the most important thing. When you live in Arkansas a small running creek is no big deal; when you live in West Texas it’s a small miracle. Last time, we discussed how God’s Word is like water, and how...
I recently noticed this phrase on the phone case of a friend I work with in the church nursery. I shrugged it off after glancing and went about my duties, but the words lodged in my brain in the following days. “Good vibes only.” What comes to mind? I thought of California. Sun, surf, and sand. The Beach Boys and their 1966 hit “Good Vibrations.” But I suspect that there’s more to this popular...
Hurrying down the hallway, I bit my lip to keep from crying as I walked out of the classroom. Tears threatened to escape at any moment, but I managed to keep them from falling. Their source? I’d gotten a low score—much lower than I’d expected—on a recent test. I was not happy with God because I knew He could have intervened, yet He didn’t seem to be doing anything about it. My rebellious heart...
I used to sit in our coat closet and dream about Bible Bee. As a twelve-year old with the dream still locked in my heart, I sat in the stuffy darkness and let my imagination run free. I dreamed of walking across stage to receive the winning trophy. It was a beautiful, golden hope. Now, six years later, I’m on the other side of that dream. During my Bible Bee years, I walked across stage twice to...
What hard things do you want to do this summer? If you’re still in school (even homeschool!), you probably view summer as a time to take a break, rest, relax—and pursue some goals. There are lots of goals we can make for our summers: reading more, getting a job, starting a business or a new project. But one of the most important goals you and I can make for the summer—or anytime—is to know God...
“Can I just talk to you?” she asked, pausing in our driveway before she left. She had stopped by while running errands, and I’d been helping her find the stuff she’d come to pick up. “Of course!” I replied, pretty sure I knew where this was going. Sure enough, she began to share some of the emotions and struggles she’d been wrestling through that week. The only reason I knew about them was in...
The first snow fall in Minnesota creates a buzz of excitement. Christmas music turns on, fires are kindled, and laughter echoes from the kids sledding in the neighborhood. But now it’s February. Heads start to hang. We speak the words of David when we ask, “How long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1) How long must the sun be hidden and the ice cold wind cut through me like a knife? It was fun in December...
Do you ever wonder why there’s so much drama surrounding relationships? Ever since the days of Adam and Eve, people have managed to fall in love, marry, and make things work. It shouldn’t be that complicated, right? After all, God knows who we’re supposed to marry. Can’t he work out all the logistics? Nevertheless, in the “crushing” stage of relationships, we tend to do dumb stuff that causes...
Procrastination is an ugly word. A school assignment waits on your desk, but gets pushed aside in favor of something more enjoyable. A list of unanswered emails fills your inbox, but you ignore them once more because there will be time for that later. A deadline set weeks in advance is suddenly upon you, and you find yourself working until midnight because you won’t meet it otherwise. I...
rebelling against low expectations
