Nehemiah’s Unconventional Princesses
Princesses are supposed to behave conventionally. The classic princess story goes something like this. A good, sweet girl falls on hard times, and then meets a rich, powerful boy who rescues her. She lives the rest of her princess life in happily ever after—private luxury, ease, and privilege. Every now and again, however, princesses don’t follow […]
On Church and Change
NEW VERSUS NORMAL In the fourteen years that I helped put together church services for Family Christian Center, we did some crazy out-there stuff. Trying to describe to new friends what my role was like is almost comical. People listen to me talk about the animals and their excretions, the Thriller zombies, and shooting arrows into screens […]
On Pain and Healing
WHEN RICH DIED I don’t often talk about my experiences when Rich, my first husband, died. It has not been for a lack of dear, sweet people who ask me about it. In the months and years after his passing, I have found myself tongue-tied again and again, retreating into private grief. I felt awkward […]
The Purple Velvet Hammer
My husband is a boxing and MMA fan. This means that from time to time, to be a loving wife, I am subjected to a few hours of wincing and mild nausea. Every so often, there will be a pair of girls who jump into the cage and try to tear each other apart. It just feels awkward […]
Why Getting Paid by Your Church Doesn’t Make Serving Easier
When I was a little girl, I watched the woman who played the piano on stage and the ladies who led worship and knew that’s what I wanted to do. Before I even knew that you needed money to live, I wanted the church to be my profession. I started serving in church as a […]
When Things are Bananas, Focus on the Fruit
It’s inevitable. We all face seasons when life is less than peachy. Our leadership is producing nothing but lemons. All our pretty, pretty pleas for help must be lacking the cherry on top, because no one is responding. As hard as you try, you just can’t find that sweet spot; and all that hard work […]
Just For Girls, Just For Fun: A Look Into My Handbag
My top sixteen leadership-essential accessories that I keep with me in my handbag all the time: (My handbag is pretty big.) *left to right, top to bottom 1. Coverup, powder, mascara, lip color, eyeliner, and eyelash curler. You never know when you will need to stand in front of people and communicate. These things help […]
Instagram, Self-torture, Measuring Tape, and Pineapples
INSTAGRAM AND MENTAL SELF-MUTILATION The latest apps like Picflow or Video Story sew a bunch of photos together into one Instagram slide show—perfect for your year in review. My photo stream is full of them today. I can see the 2013 highlight reel of any number of friends in snapshots. It’s funny how fantastic this […]
Balancing the Scales: Ministry and Family
Figuring out how to be both a good mom and a good leader has been a challenging journey for me. I made a calculated change to my lifestyle last spring when I resigned from my staff role at church after twelve-plus years. My husband John and I now travel full-time together with our youngest and […]
The Final Frontier For Feminine Leadership
Today’s post is foundational. For anyone who has gone to Bible College or researched the topic of feminine leadership, this isn’t anything revolutionary. I am going to simply add my voice to the conversation in value and celebration of women who have stepped up to lead in the church. For anyone who hasn’t put a […]