Did you know that Peter was married? I’m sure I learned this fun fact at some point during seminary, but I had forgotten about it until this week when my pastor mentioned it. Peter’s wife doesn’t enjoy much remembrance because she doesn’t appear directly in Scripture. In fact, the only biblical reference to Peter’s marital status comes from Matthew 8:14– …
Before the Storm
This summer I’ve had the real pleasure of leading a book club at my church in which we are reading Shauna Niequist’s Bittersweet. Each session, I kick off the evening with a little bit of teaching before the women are dismissed into smaller discussion groups. During our last meeting, we focused on the “bitter” part of “bittersweet,” reflecting on the …
Bearing False Witness
This week I wrote an article for Her.meneutics that reflected on the most recent Mark Driscoll controversy. Unlike my last Her.meneutics article, of which I was surprised at the backlash, I was prepared to take some punches for this one. Although Driscoll is a many-layered person whose church has been an instrument of healing in the lives of many Seattle …
Fasting and Intimacy
Lately my husband and I have fallen into a bit of a bad habit. In fact, even as I write this post I’m engaged in the very act of it! We are sitting on the couch, next to each other, both on our laptops with the television on, not speaking. We are together, but we aren’t interacting with each other. …
A Woman Without Discretion
This week I start a new class and my life is about to get super hectic, so I thought I would re-post a blog I wrote a couple years ago (before I was married, as you will notice) that is admittedly one of my favorites. Let me know what you think! *** Every Fall, the North Carolina State Fair comes …
The Danger of Sentimental Christianity
Throughout most of my Christian life I have been taught that there are two types of people who call themselves “Christian”: There are Nominal Christians who are Christian by heritage but display no evidence of an active faith, and then there are “real” Christians who love Jesus and have committed their lives to them. While there is certainly a wide …
The Path Principle
Well it’s been one of those weeks! I am having a crazy busy few days getting my work done for school and other commitments, which has left me little time to blog. I have lots of thoughts to share with you all from what I’ve been learning–just no time to write them down. Until then, I’m reposting a blog I …
Discipleship and the Theology of Play
“If man knows himself to be free and desires to use his freedom, then his activity is play.” –Jean-Paul Sartre This week in class I’ve been learning about the theology of play. I’d never heard of this term before, and it honestly struck me as a strange topic. What do theology and playing (ie. doing what you enjoy) have to …
The Myth of the Female Jesus
I know you’re probably wondering what in the world this post is about! I promise this isn’t about some DaVinci Code-esque conspiracy theory that Jesus was actually a woman, but before I explain what I mean by “female Jesus,” let me back up a bit. Last night I was talking with some women who serve as women’s ministers in other …
Be Slow to Anger
It’s hard to believe but I have been blogging for over 4 years now! Crazy, huh? And during those 4 years I have been extremely blessed to have gracious and thoughtful commenters. I like to think it’s because my arguments are so compelling and sympathetically written, but it’s probably because most of my blog readers are my friends! Regardless of …