“Normal is a setting on your dishwasher.”  The whole of my undergraduate psychology class raised a muffled chuckle. Our professor was replying to a question asked in all sincerity about a particular personality type. He wasn’t being snarky or cruel. In fact, his tone was just as serious as that of my classmate who asked the question. He was making a point. Yet, back then, my youthful cynicism was unsettled. I went home that day to check if he was right. Sure enough, there was normal, right between pots and … [Read more...]

"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told" (Habakkuk 1:5, ESV). Habakkuk prophesied in a time when things were going from bad to worse. The Assyrians, a cruel and ruthless empire, were on their way out and the Babylonians were on their way in. Habakkuk probably could not remember a moment in his life that was not filled with the suffering of God’s covenant people. Through his entire prophetic ministry, he never saw it come to an end.  If there … [Read more...]

When you grow up in Texas, as I did, you were schooled up in the stories of the Alamo. It’s legendary—a small group of freedom fighters who took their stand against incredible odds in the small mission in San Antonio (of course, I only later found out that these “heroes” were not quite the upstanding patriots I thought they were as a kid. But, I digress…). Stories of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Barrett Travis were the stuff of legend. I’m sure I wasn’t the only kid who petitioned his or her parents to, at some point, jump … [Read more...]

“Sheep are not burden-bearing animals.” A godly woman said this to me recently in response to my sharing with her the feeling that I bore a great weight on my shoulders. To be sure, the weight I bore was something I had picked up and put on myself. Though, if you asked me, I would have said it had been placed there by a hand other than my own. In 1 Peter 5:6-7, the apostle says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares … [Read more...]

Everyone is experiencing loss right now. COVID-19 has changed a lot, most of which we’ll never get back, and our college students aren’t exempt from that. Four years that don’t end in walking across a graduation stage. Four years and not competing in your last collegiate sporting event. Four years of friendships that wrap up with FaceTime goodbyes. In a world where people are losing loved ones, it can be easy right now to minimize the pain of our 20-somethings and what they’re grappling with losing in the next 30 days. But since it … [Read more...]

“The Bible says to honor your Daddy and Mommy.” I’m looking my 5-year-old in her teary eyes. “That means God wants you to listen and obey when we talk to you.” Our youngest was out of line for something. Honestly, I don’t remember what it was because that was six years ago now. The only reason I remember the instance at all is because that same week I sat across a table in a coffee shop from Kylie (name changed) grappling with the fact that those words don’t work for emerging adults. Kylie was a 20-year-old sweetheart with … [Read more...]

We’ve all been there. The subject line of the email reads, Feedback on your message or A couple thoughts on your decision, or the more direct, We’re leaving. Sometimes it comes in the form of an email like this, and other times a text message that reminds you of at least some of your flaws, and even the occasional hallway or lobby conversation questioning a decision or word choice.  Criticism is a reality for all who labor in the Kingdom of God. We can’t escape it. And typically, it will deflate us to a … [Read more...]

This is an awkward time! Everything your college-aged child has known for the last few months—or maybe even years—has been flipped on its head. The structure of classes and buildings...GONE. The dorms and apartments full of friends and peers...GONE. The tempo of daily routines and rhythms...GONE. And what may be the most jarring for them at the moment, the freedom to come and go as they please...GONE! Moving back home between semesters, or for the summer, is hard enough for most, but to move back home without closure of a real end … [Read more...]