One of my favorite benefits of EfM this past year has been time for bible study, both independently and in community. Having the opportunity to read the bible along with corresponding research, scholarship, and historical information and then getting to discuss it with others has been so good for me. Now that I’ve gotten used to… Read More Summer Devotional + Bible Study
Oh, summertime. The slow pace. The sun. The vacations. The cocktails on the patio and the hamburgers on the grill. The schoolwork. Yep. Teachers have to do schoolwork over the summer. I know, right? Of course, every teaching situation is different, so I can only speak for myself, but I spend roughly 20 hours a… Read More Summer Devotional
This was our closing prayer at EfM earlier this week. I thought I’d share it here just in case you’re feeling the weight of the world every time you read the news, too. A Prayer for World Peace, 1978 Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving; the patience… Read More A Prayer for World Peace
It’s been busy around here, folks, but next week is my school’s spring break. I’m looking forward to some down time and intentional rest. And Holy Week. I’m looking forward to Holy Week. I’ve been reading Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George. I’m only about 70 pages into it, but I’ll be honest with you—I’m… Read More Holy Week
Lord, bless to me this Lent . . . Suffer me never to think that I have knowledge enough to need no teaching, wisdom enough to need no correction, talents enough to need no grace, goodness enough to need no progress, humility enough to need no repentance, devotion enough to need no quickening, strength sufficient… Read More From an Old Lenten Prayer
I had this great post planned for today—a follow–up to the soapmaking from last week—but it’s been one of *those* weeks. You know the kind. It’s exam week, so the pile of research papers I have to grade just keeps growing and growing. I was supposed to see a play with my AP students tonight,… Read More Words of Wisdom from C. S. Lewis
We’re studying Advent in my pre–K—first grade Sunday school class. All year, I’ve been astounded by my students’ understanding of faith and theology—way deeper than most adults I know! But something yesterday just got me and I had to share it here. We’d been talking about Jesus coming into the world, and we were drawing… Read More Advent Lessons from Five-Year-Olds
I was reading through a couple of devotional journals over the weekend, and I found a few musings on faith that have been on my mind. I thought I’d share them here, just in case you have similar thoughts on your heart. August 23, 2014 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers… Read More A Few Musings on Faith
Ever feel completely inadequate to do the tasks God has chosen for you? This happens to me pretty often. And by “pretty often” I mean “every single day.” Walking in love? I trip. Constantly. Like a gangly newborn colt. Being a fisher of men? I usually can’t even get the bait on the line, and… Read More Peter: My Second Favorite New Testament Figure
Friends, I’m thrilled to be sharing some big news with you today! I alluded to it in my post about how things will be different this year, and I thought I’d tell you a bit more about it today. This fall, I’m starting a program called Education for Ministry. It’s through the University of the South… Read More Oh, happy day!