Worship. In so much of the American Church, this means standing up, avoiding anyone else’s gaze, putting your hands on the pew in front of you, and singing. In some churches raising your hands in the air might be preferred. But how many Christians out there admit to participating in this because that’s just what…
Tag: hope
Walk Down This Mountain
Why is it so easy to go from feeling the presence of God beside you to living as if only what is visible exists? Have you ever tried to see the world the way one of the Bible heroes did? I try to imagine the fear and wonder that overcame Moses when he saw God…
What’s in a Name?
When I was young, I used to daydream about what I would name my future children. I loved the name Alexander, especially shortened to Xander. I wanted a feminine name for a daughter, perhaps Emma or Alina. These days, despite my lack of children, I still feel compelled to name things, which is how I’ve…
Body and Soul
Vulnerability. Just typing the word makes me tense up. Unless you’re talking about anger or happiness, I prefer my emotions to remain inside of me, where they belong. I have no idea when I started locking away most of my distressing emotions and I’m not sure why, either. In fact, I was clueless that I…
Lift Up Your Eyes
For anyone today who is feeling small or weak, insignificant or scared, take heart. I have just half of a Bible verse for you. Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I have made, and I will bear; I will carry, and will save.” -Isaiah 46:4 You are not alone, nor…
A Glorious Luminescence
The book of Hebrews defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”1 After all, believing in something one can see doesn’t require much commitment. Too often, though, this definition gets twisted and distorted so that faith becomes only something we can’t see. What is essential for Christians to…
When Misery Is a Good Thing
My skin hurts. To be honest, my everything hurts. Still, I am thrilled to say I got my second Covid shot yesterday morning; being (relatively) young and (physically) healthy, I thought there was no way I’d be fully vaccinated before June. But, oh boy, I advise not strutting around telling everyone that there’s no way…
To Be a Disciple on That Day
During Easter and throughout each year, Christians abide in the resurrection and the freedom and hope it has given all believers. On Good Friday, we also remember the awful necessity of the crucifixion. In terms of the latter, what I haven’t heard spoken about much is the agony of that hour, not for Jesus, but…
Before the Fire 