rebelling against low expectations
Persecution. It’s a word that those of us in the Western world don’t know a lot about. Maybe we’ve heard it, read about it in the Bible, or heard stories of Christians in other countries experiencing it. But most of us have never been through it. That was my story. I’ve heard testimonies of Christians in Asia and the Middle East getting beaten, arrested, or killed for their faith, but it always...
I used to think I was someone who didn’t have control issues. That is… until the pandemic spread across the globe. I’ve heard stories of people who don’t like riding in planes because they would rather be the pilot flying the plane than be the passenger. If you would have asked me a couple of years ago if I had control issues like that, I would have said, “Nope. Definitely not.” And then COVID-19...
Several weeks ago, I found out about the tragic murder of an innocent African-American young man. I’m not going to lie, I’m angry. I’m hurt. My heart breaks for Ahmaud’s family, who have been through so much loss and are just now receiving justice. My heart hurts for the African-American community and for those who are afraid that something like this will happen to them. Through this...
I’ll never forget the day that I stepped onto the airplane at the Atlanta airport. This wasn’t just any plane or a normal trip. I was going to Australia. I was terrified, I was excited, and I was questioning my decision all at the same time. I thought I had lost my mind. About a year earlier, during my senior year of highschool, I felt God leading me to do something that was missions-focused...
In the summer of 2015, I was on my second mission trip to Uganda. We were on our way back to the U.S., and our first flight was from Uganda to Nairobi, Kenya. I remember getting on the small plane and noticing that my sister and I had seats farther away from the family we were traveling with. But that wasn’t the part that scared me the most. As we boarded, we realized that every one of the...
You have a story. It is a story that is unique, and beautifully written by our Creator. It is a story of challenges you’ve faced and lessons you have learned. But more importantly, it is the story of Redemption. The best part of your story is when God entered your life and changed everything for the best. Your story starts when Jesus calls you by name, and you accept His invitation to become His...
I have a confession to make: I am a people pleaser. I care deeply and passionately about people and what they think of me. That means I hate it when others are mad at or disappointed in me. I want people to like me. People-pleasing is a common characteristic and goal in our culture. But that begs the question: is it good to live for the approval of others? A few weeks ago, I was thinking through...
Stress. We hear that word a lot in our society today. It’s a word used to describe how we feel when we have a lot on our plates, along with many expectations. Tests, deadlines, tension, jobs, and our futures are only some of the things that overwhelm us. This generation is anxious and stressed, that is including me. In fact, stress has become a common and usual emotion for just about everyone. As...
I remember the times when I have been hurt by the church. Those were not good feelings. It destroyed my self-confidence, and it made me fearful and angry. As time went on, I became more and more withdrawn and reserved. To be honest, I began asking God what the church was for. As an introvert, I tend to be more independent, and I like to spend a good amount of time by myself. When I realized I was...
I remember the first time I walked into our new youth group. It was March of 2015. I remember being overwhelmed with the amount of students in the building. I wanted to dig a hole in the ground and hide. Forever. Welcome to one of the thoughts many introverts have. This is what it was like for me being an introvert in the church, at first anyway. My Life as an Introvert Introverts are people who...
rebelling against low expectations
