And yet, it is hard. Hard to go into a ministry knowing we aren’t prepared. Hard knowing we are way out of our comfort zone. We are fearful, anxious, and humbled. That is exactly where God wants us. His Spirit will provide the rest.

And yet, it is hard. Hard to go into a ministry knowing we aren’t prepared. Hard knowing we are way out of our comfort zone. We are fearful, anxious, and humbled. That is exactly where God wants us. His Spirit will provide the rest.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard sayings like these while I was growing up:

“If it’s meant to be, it’ll be.”

“Everything happens for a reason.”

“It could have happened to prevent something worse.”

I recently went out to eat with a good friend of mine. We rode together to a restaurant, and we had a conversation about how sometimes we come across a debate regarding an idea, or even a poem, that leaves you in a grey area. I quickly remarked how I feel uncomfortable with a conversation that ends with something like: “The answer is A. The answer is also B, and the answer is also A and B.”…

Since the kids are away at camp, Jairus and I decided to spend the day at Millcreek Park. We hiked, enjoyed nature, and then got our bikes out to ride one of the trails.

Now, before this year, I had not ridden a bike since I was a little girl. Honestly, I didn’t think it was something I would ever do again. But, when we got bikes for the kids, and they wanted to ride to local parks, I was just not able to keep up. So, we got a bike for me too.

At Millcreek we unloaded the bikes, I nervously hopped on, and wobbled over to the head of the trail. For the first 25 feet I was having fun. Then we hit a slight hill.

I peddled as hard as my little legs could go, Jairus, waited patiently and cheered me on as grey haired joggers passed me up. My legs were absolutely on fire. Then shame and embarrassment kicked in. With images of Kermit and Miss Piggy in the classic bike scene from The Great Muppet Caper (only she wasn’t panting and dripping sweat), I finally had to stumble off and push the bike to the top of the hill. 

This is relevant, I promise. 

On Sunday, Kyle talked about Paul doing four things to strengthen the church. One of those things was to teach them that suffering is an important part of the deepening and growing of our faith. It’s counter cultural, for sure...as most of the way of Jesus is.

As a Christian, am I as excited to share Jesus, my most prized treasure? Am I eager to tell others all about him? To show the love, grace and forgiveness he so generously gives us? And isn’t the reaction of our sharing a little similar to my Show ‘N Tell? Some welcome the Good News, others are not so happy when old beliefs are challenged.

My response was to become a sponge. I listened to and read alllllllll the parenting info I could find. But with so many conflicting opinions, and so little hard evidence to back any of these opinions, I was just confused and discouraged. So, we started to volunteer in our church preschool class and nursery. While there, we grew to love all of the kiddos we got to spend time with. One family in particular had kids that were kind to others, imaginative, intelligent, responsible, and could truly play. These kids knew that Jesus loved them, but they weren’t robotic kids that always had the “right” answer. Their faith was authentic, even at age 4

My response was to become a sponge. I listened to and read alllllllll the parenting info I could find. But with so many conflicting opinions, and so little hard evidence to back any of these opinions, I was just confused and discouraged. So, we started to volunteer in our church preschool class and nursery. While there, we grew to love all of the kiddos we got to spend time with. One family in particular had kids that were kind to others, imaginative, intelligent, responsible, and could truly play. These kids knew that Jesus loved them, but they weren’t robotic kids that always had the “right” answer. Their faith was authentic, even at age 4

My response was to become a sponge. I listened to and read alllllllll the parenting info I could find. But with so many conflicting opinions, and so little hard evidence to back any of these opinions, I was just confused and discouraged. So, we started to volunteer in our church preschool class and nursery. While there, we grew to love all of the kiddos we got to spend time with. One family in particular had kids that were kind to others, imaginative, intelligent, responsible, and could truly play. These kids knew that Jesus loved them, but they weren’t robotic kids that always had the “right” answer. Their faith was authentic, even at age 4

Ever since hearing Kyle’s sermon on Biblical decision-making, I have been reflecting on my lifetime of decisions and the process I used. I must admit, it was a bit of an eye-opener.

Early in life I made decisions on what was best or easy for me. Most of the time I would ask myself if my parents would approve of my decision. It depended on if I was being agreeable or rebellious as to what decision I made.