New YouVersion Bible App Reading Plan available!

My newest Bible reading plan is available now! It’s called “Leading Your Kids Through Difficult Emotions” and looks at what the Bible has to say about anger, disappointment, grief, loss, and anxiety. It also shares how parents can lead their children through these tough feelings without punishing, shaming, or ignoring them. Click here to check …

The Formula for Leading Your Emotions

Ok, let’s get back to the purpose of this blog and talk about leading our emotions so we can be led by the Spirit of God instead of being dragged around by fear, pain, anger, and the pursuit of distraction. We are often at a loss for what to do with our intense feelings and …

10,000 Gifts From God

Today I wrote down my ten thousandth gift from God!I kind of wanted to use 10,000 exclamation points to try and communicate how excited I am, but even that wouldn’t cut it (and would be annoying for you readers) so I’ll restrain myself. For now… I’ve written more about my gratitude list in an older …

Notes on the “How I fell in love with Jesus” series

Today I want to share some thoughts on my story both fun and serious. (Here are the links to the series just in case you need them: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) Fun part first!Why use wildflowers as the visual theme for a story with such dark elements as sexual abuse, attempted suicide, and …

How I fell in love with Jesus (Part 3)

Again, my deep and sincere thanks to everyone who has encouraged me, read, shared, and liked this series. Here are links to Part 1 and Part 2 in case you need them! “What if we end up getting married, you know, after high school?” Steven asked on the phone one night. My immediate excitement changed …

How I fell in love with Jesus (Part 2)

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement to share my story without shame! (If you missed Part 1 you can read it here.) There was a phenomenal alternative music scene around my hometown area during this time. Punk, pop-punk, emo, screamo, ska, and metal bands comprised largely of Christian teenagers and young adults …

How I fell in love with Jesus (Part 1)

Thank you for your patience! When I promised this post two weeks ago I somehow didn’t think to consider that we were planning to move and how that might disrupt my posting. The following is actually an excerpt from my book Tasting Dirt: When You’re Disappointed With God (Coming Soon!!) I’m both excited and anxious …

The Global Pandemic is Trauma

Today I’m going to step back from the How To Lead Your Feelings series to share a podcast that has helped me be honest with myself about how I’m currently handling the stress of the pandemic compared to how I want to handle it. The Allender Center Podcast, hosted by Dr. Dan Allender and Rachael …

How To Lead Your Feelings: Lizard

Have you ever gotten stuck? Physically stuck, wedged, trapped, unable to move?Many of us feel stuck right now. Our physical movement is limited to essential travel only with potentially heavy consequences for going about our normal lives. It’s very stressful. This situation can also cause us to get emotionally stuck in cycles of fear, anger, …

How To Lead Your Feelings: Fear

Honestly, I’m afraid to write this post. I’m afraid every time I write a blog post, and I’m definitely afraid to publish my book, Tasting Dirt: When Your’re Disappointed With God. I feel fear about a lot of different things. So do you, because fear is part of being human. Fear has a very beneficial …