Show of hands: Who knows why flamingos are pink? I didn’t know the answer until I was keynoting a recent women’s retreat in Florida. The title of the retreat was “Faith in Full Color: Thriving as God Intended,” and when I walked into the church I grinned in delight as I saw that the décor…
I still remember when I received my first Ash Wednesday mark—a simple cross on my forehead drawn with ashes. On that first day of Lent, I was 21 years old, a senior in college, and brand-new in having a real, honest-to-goodness relationship with Jesus. I had grown up in a loving church—attending services with my…
I saw something fascinating play out during an event this past weekend. Jeff and I were doing a Friday-night/Saturday morning marriage event at a church, and the organizers included a really fun additional element: A professional emcee, Brandon Rushin. Brandon played the part of the “cruise director” for the weekend and ran a series of…
Lost in decisions about faux greenery and glass floating candles, I’m navigating territory that so many of you—my longtime readers—have already traveled. I’m the mother of the bride. Our only daughter, our firstborn, is getting married in a matter of weeks. She’s the one who made me a mom, and Jeff a dad. She was…
Before we plant both feet into a new year, I always appreciate taking a minute to look back on all that God has done. Friends, 2025 was a year for the books! Our daughter got engaged, we launched a new book (When Hurting People Come to Church) and a podcast (I Wish You Could Hear…
Whether you’re hopping on a plane or hosting a houseful of people next week, it’s good to take a minute to think ahead about bringing kindness into our Christmas celebrations. Although Christmas can sometimes bring heartache (for example, if we have suffered loss), in general most of us find it to be a beautiful season,…
