There are trips, vacations, adventures and tours, but then, on the rarest of occasions, there are the trips of a lifetime. I just experienced one of these with my husband and another couple. It was a two-week trip to England and Scotland, an inexplicable gift from our friends for my husband Kelly completing his 100th reading of the Bible. The four of us discussed and planned this amazing trip for over a year, and in May, it finally arrived. Turns... Read more
In the history of the world, a small group of women have witnessed their husbands do something extraordinary. Some of these wives had husbands who founded nations, walked on the moon, or climbed Mount Everest. Some of these women saw their men win impossible battles, discover world-changing truths, or rescue many lives. In each case, they surely watched the achievement while also intimately knowing the sacrifice, discipline, and dedication required. These women’s personal stories and perspectives are mostly lost to... Read more
I am a bit jubilant right now, because this month I reached my Jubilee year with Jesus. As of January 2024, I’ve journeyed with Jesus for forty-nine years now. The Old Testament teaches that the completion of the forty-ninth year marks the beginning of the year of Jubilee. God declared this celebration for His people Israel, and, this year, I have decided to embrace it as a celebration in my life, too. However, Jubilee is meant to be celebrated in... Read more
What if the way you lead your family to celebrate this Christmas ends up changing the world? Such may seem like a far-fetched possibility, because we all know there are countless ways to celebrate this holiday. A quick internet search of Christmas traditions gives more ideas and possibilities than we can possibly incorporate into our homes. We can go all out or keep it simple for Christmas. But, what if, this year, we intentionally lead our families into a Christmas... Read more
The holidays are here, and excitement fills the air. In my season of life, I’m the momma, the mother-in-law, the soon to be grandma. As matriarch in our family’s equation, I couldn’t be happier with this privilege of making the holidays special. Yet still, when it comes to Christmas, there’s a tiny piece of myself that’s like a child. Within the grownup core of me, my spirit longs for something that I think many of us grownups long for. My... Read more
“I want you to spend your life telling the world, not the evening news, but the Good News.” God’s voice spoke loud as thunder to my heart. Powerful and pivotal, this moment affected the course of my life. I was in college studying broadcast journalism to someday sit in a news anchor chair, delivering the world news. Mine were big plans, but God’s plans for me were even bigger. I was young and didn’t know what this would look like,... Read more
The lights dimmed, drum cadence began, and dance team started to move. Scores of children’s eyes turned toward the stage, mesmerized. “This – is – the – great-est show!” The lyrics rang rhythmically, as on the screen feet thumped and the ringmaster directed. The movie opening set the stage for a story that became known as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” However, Vanguard Church was setting the stage to show the children something far better, something we call: “The Greatest... Read more
“Don’t ever think you’re going to use those gifts of a pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention.” Our interviewer looked me square in the eyes as he read me the results of my spiritual gifts test. My husband Kelly and I were 25 years old, meeting in Atlanta with the SBC Home Mission Board. Earlier that year in 1996, as we graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, we said “yes” to God’s call to church planting. South Park Baptist Church in... Read more
“Instead of burning the books, use them as a bridge to lead children to Me.” Clear as day, if I have ever heard God speak to me, it was in that moment way back in 2002. The Harry Potter craze was coming into its own, sparking both controversy and cult. Children worldwide were diving into the books, fostering a love for reading and a fandom for all things Hogwarts. School teachers were thrilled that kids were actually picking up books... Read more
God has sent you and I a friend request. It’s extraordinary, really. The God who designs snowfalls and draws sunrises, the God who initiated breath and inspires life – – – He wants to be our friend. This invitation is overwhelming, and He welcomes us to respond to His friend request any day, hour or even moment the whole year through. However, I believe there’s nothing like the season of Advent to really deeply ponder God’s extraordinary invitation He sent... Read more
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