Last Sunday, we learned that economists have a term for vanilla’s dominance in the ice cream world: The Vanilla Factor. Every year, without fail, vanilla is the top-selling flavor, accounting for 30% ...  Read More

Over the years I have found myself becoming more sensitive to the shortcomings of others. Instead of allowing things to roll off, I've been bitter or resentful. The season where I struggled the most w...  Read More

Miranda and I have been close friends with Luke and Jensine Ahrens for nearly 15 years. They are among our dearest friends, and together, we share a deep history filled with countless stories. We’ve t...  Read More

My husband likes to joke that when the clock strikes 9 p.m. I turn into a pumpkin. It’s not a total exaggeration. I much prefer early mornings than late nights, and my energy levels deplete quickly in...  Read More

The WallsThe theologian G. K. Chesterton has a wonderful analogy about walls. He posits the question of whether the walls that hem in children on a playground restricts or expands their freedom to pla...  Read More

What often looks simple is actually the result of years of practice and discipline. What seems effortless is often the fruit of countless hours of hard work. Let me illustrate.The other night, as our ...  Read More

A runner sets off down the sidewalk. One mile down. Two. Now three. As the fourth mile approaches, the runner feels her breath start to become heavy. Her lungs struggle to keep up. Her muscles begin t...  Read More

How do you begin the New Year? Do you start with a bolt of motivation, ready to tackle the goals you have set for yourself? Do you begin with anticipation, hoping that this year will be the year that ...  Read More

Merry Christmas, Christ Church! As you celebrate this day with friends and family, here is a prayer that you can pray to help you praise Jesus and center your heart on the purpose of Christmas. You ca...  Read More

Advent is a season to celebrate the first arrival of our King, Jesus, and the hope, peace, joy, and love He brings. Today, I want to focus on love.Sometimes, it’s hard to measure the weight of these t...  Read More

I don’t consider myself to be a patient person. I get frustrated if the item I want to order on Amazon won’t get to me in two days. I’m bothered if the line to the grocery checkout is almost down to t...  Read More

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16You may have heard the story of two woodsmen competing to see who could chop the most wood in a day. The younger woodsman worked tirele...  Read More