What I Know
There may be a list that goes on for infinity of all the things I don’t know. But the list of things I do know is of much greater importance! I’ve never done this before. Lauren and I are so blessed to have four girls. We have also been raised by great parents. Now they are grandparents and they are still praying over our girls the same way that they prayed over us growing up. Lauren and I walked into the preview service of The Village Christian Church over 20 years ago and were married before the church’s third anniversary. The Village is all our girls have ever known. Over the last 20 years, I can’t begin to estimate how many ‘Village people’ have been to our home, hosted us into their home, or shared a meal with us along the way. So many people have come into our lives and loved us like family, while we have grown in our capacity to love back. So many have loved our girls like they are family and continue to invest in us all weekly. All that to say, I’ve still never done this before. So What Do I Do? I’ve never been married for 18 years before, parented a high school student, tried to raise four girls who are going four different directions with four entirely different personalities and four different friend groups. And an understatement is that this responsibility is hard. Where do we go, and what do we do with this incredible responsibility of raising our children? I’m reminded of Galatians 4:5-6. God sent him (Jesus) to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Can you even believe that?! We’ve been adopted by the creator of all things and given rights to call him Dad! My mind races with the potential of danger around every corner. My protective spirit wants to warn my girls of every risk they could encounter along the way. However, if I were to enter a busy airport with my girls, I wouldn’t spend my time explaining every potential for catastrophe. Instead, I would just advise them to ‘stay by dad’. The Good Father So why wouldn’t I advise them to do the same thing in their relationship with their Heavenly Father? I’m helpless to protect them from everything they might have to face in this life. The world is such a dark and dangerous place, and at some point they will all face it on their own. All I can do is remind them to ‘stay by dad’. They have a Father in heaven that never tires, never fails, never wakes up grumpy, and never goes to bed angry. And if there is anything I do know, it is to teach the girls the power of ‘staying by dad’. There are many things I do know. I do know that love covers a multitude of sins. And the greatest love was when the Father sent his Son, Jesus, to die as our rescue. What I do know is that there is power in the blood of Christ to forgive my sin and theirs. I do know that God pursues me, and therefore I know He is pursuing my children. Without a doubt, I do know that there is life in God’s Word. Not only that, but I do know that God interacts on a supernatural level through prayer and the indwelling of His Spirit, and therefore I will teach them to pray to a God who listens and is with them. Praise God for His grace, His love, His Spirit that He fills us with, and His Word that shows us His character! I Praise God that for everything I don’t know, He has already held together in His hand! Praise God for this adoption!
Saved By Grace
Have you ever considered the phrase, “Saved By Grace”? During this Lenten season I have been watching the series called The Chosen. I was motivated to join podcaster Annie F. Downs. Rather than removing something from her life this season, she planned to add something. She committed to watching one episode a day leading up to Easter. I thought this seemed like something I needed in my life right now, so I have committed to joining her. The series is Biblically accurate, but it does take some creative liberties to add detail and conversations not necessarily documented in the Bible. One episode in particular really stuck with me, and I wanted to share. Luke 8:2 “and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had come out;” Grace Is Given, Not Earned Mary Magdalene was a woman who encountered Jesus, and she was possessed by several demons. In the series, Jesus called her by her given name, “Mary,” and the demons left her. He invited her to follow Him, and she did. In a later episode, it shows Mary struggling after witnessing another man with a demon present. It depicts her leaving the camp of Jesus and the other disciples to go back to the life she once lived. Jesus had sent Simon and Matthew to find her and bring her back. The moment that had a profound impact on me was the conversation between Mary and Jesus when she returned. Granted, this interaction was not documented in the Bible, but it lines up with the truth of the Gospel. Mary was clearly ashamed of her behavior and felt unworthy of being part of Jesus’ mission. In this scene, he did not respond in the way that you would expect. His goal was not to condemn her or blame her. She went on to tell Jesus how she was not enough for Him. He responded by saying, “I do not expect you to be enough. My Father only wants your heart.” Mary, still unable to accept this sort of grace, replied, “You have already redeemed me once. I can’t ask you to do that again.” The way Jesus responded at this moment hit me. He said, “If what I did for you can be undone by your actions in one day, then what I did isn’t really worth much.” Jesus Is Enough The gravity of that rang in my head for several days. So often I find myself in Mary’s position. I minimize what Jesus has done for me by thinking I am powerful enough to undo it or that I’m now held to some sort of standard of perfection to maintain my salvation. Seeing the kind eyes of the actor portraying Jesus and seeing Mary hang her head in shame while she cried was powerful. Jesus then says, “I forgive you. It’s behind us.” And He calls her out of His tent to join the others by the fire. Ephesians 2:4-5 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.” There are so many takeaways in this short interaction. First, we need to stop minimizing what Jesus did for us on the cross. It was no small act, and we are not powerful enough to undo what God has done. Salvation is a gift. Jesus knew the cost and chose to surrender anyway. The only way to show love and appreciation is by accepting his gift and being grateful for it. Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Be Like Jesus The other lesson I took from this was the way Jesus responded to her. He did not respond in the way you would expect. We are conditioned by a world full of sinners to be ashamed of ourselves. We believe we deserve to be shamed, blamed and even punished for our mistakes. Jesus met Mary at this moment with nothing but love and forgiveness. What if we treated each other this way? Or even treated ourselves with this kind of grace. This is what God wants from us and for us. He wants us to act like Jesus. If we were able to do that, oh, what a world it would be. John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” You can find Bible studies on Grace using the YouVersion Bible App. It’s free, easy to use and you can take it anywhere!
New Year’s Resolutions: Embracing the New Life in Christ
As the new year begins, many of us are reflecting on the past year and making resolutions for the one ahead. Whether it’s a goal to get healthier, be more organized, or learn something new. New Year’s resolutions are an opportunity to start fresh and make positive changes. But as believers in Christ, we have an even deeper, more transformative resolution available to us. One that isn’t based on self-effort or temporary changes, but on the radical, life-changing power of God’s love. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” This scripture reminds us that, as followers of Jesus, we are not just setting goals to improve our outward behaviors or achieve personal success. We are, in fact, called to experience a complete transformation—a new identity in Christ. A New Year, A New You When Paul speaks of becoming a “new person,” he’s not referring to a mere makeover or surface-level change. He’s talking about a radical transformation that goes to the very core of who we are. In Christ, we are no longer defined by our past mistakes, our old patterns of sin, or our former selves. That “old life” that once governed our actions, thoughts, and desires has been replaced by a new life rooted in Christ’s grace and power. This truth offers us a profound sense of freedom and hope as we enter a new year. It means no matter what mistakes or failures we may have experienced in the past, we have the opportunity to leave behind the old and walk forward in the new life that Christ offers. Embracing the Power of the New Life Now as you think about your resolutions for the year ahead, consider this: What would it look like to make your relationship with Christ the foundation of all your goals? Instead of simply resolving to change your habits or circumstances, why not resolve to embrace the new life God has already given you through Jesus? Here are a few ways you can live out this “new life” in 2025: 1. Live with a New Identity One of the most powerful truths of the Christian faith is that, in Christ, you are a new creation. Your worth is not based on what you do or don’t do, but on who you are in Christ. As you step into the new year, remind yourself that you are loved, accepted, and deeply valued by God. Let this identity shape the way you view yourself, others, and the world around you. 2. Leave Behind the Old and Step Into the New The past year might have been filled with regrets, failures, or moments of weakness. But in Christ, your past does not define you. Take time to reflect on areas where you need healing, forgiveness, or transformation, and then surrender those things to God. Trust that He is making all things new—including you—and step boldly into the new life He’s calling you to. 3. Live with a Purpose God has a unique purpose for your life. This year, seek to align your goals and resolutions with God’s will. Ask Him to guide your decisions, reveal your gifts, and open doors that lead you closer to fulfilling His plan for you. Instead of pursuing goals for personal achievement alone, let your resolutions reflect your desire to glorify God and serve others. 4. Pursue Holiness, Not Perfection Living a “new life” in Christ doesn’t mean we’ll be perfect—it means we are being transformed by His grace, day by day. This year, commit to growing in holiness by spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and engaging with your church community. Celebrate the progress you make, knowing that God is working in you and through you. 5. Extend Grace to Yourself and Others As you strive for growth and change, remember that God’s grace covers every shortcoming. When you stumble or fall short of your resolutions, don’t be discouraged. Instead, remember that you are a work in progress, and that God is faithful to complete the good work He began in you (Philippians 1:6). Extend that same grace to those around you, and be patient as you continue to grow in Christ. A New Year, a New Beginning in Christ As we enter 2025, let’s remember that the most powerful resolution we can make is not one focused on external changes, but one centered on the new life we have in Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has made us new creations—able to live with purpose, joy, and hope. Let this be the year that you embrace the full reality of who you are in Christ. Don’t just resolve to change your habits; resolve to allow God to transform your heart. The old life is gone; the new has come! Let’s walk forward in this truth together, supporting one another as we grow into the people God has called us to be. Happy New Year—and may it be filled with new life in Christ! Join a Lifegroup and find friends that will encourage you as you grow in your new life! Get more information
Am I Worthy?
Have you ever been in a situation outside of your normal everyday routine and felt like you are not worthy, and worried that other people are going to figure that out? My husband and I recently had an amazing date night! We went to an Elevation Worship concert. We were long overdue for some good quality time, so I decided to try to maximize our day by making us dinner reservations at Ruth’s Chris before the concert. It was an absolute five-star night. As we pulled up to the restaurant, we noticed they had valet parking. My husband was driving and was more than happy to pull in and let the bored-looking young man park our car as we walked in, feeling like the ultimate fine diners. I held up my hand to stop him. “Don’t use valet!” I said. He looked confused. Why would we not, he said without saying it. I proceeded to defend my irrational decision by explaining that my car was a mess. We had multiple water bottles lying around and, of course, the melty remnants of my Starbucks iced coffee. I had sports equipment, multiple first aid kits, don’t ask, and a few shopping bags strewn about in the back seat. There was a sticky substance on the shifter, most likely from my addiction to cold foam. Not to mention, the outside of my car was filthy. We live in the middle of corn fields, so a thin layer of dust is standard for my vehicle. “Let’s just park ourselves and walk in,” I pleaded. I could tell my husband thought this was ridiculous, but he decided not to challenge my theory on why we were not worthy of valet service. As we walked past the valet section, my husband jokingly said, “Honey, look! That one is just like our old Lamborghini!” It did make me laugh, and as we walked, I saw something that stopped me for a moment. Amongst the luxury vehicles was a teal green, 1991 Toyota Corolla. I mean, it was mostly green except for the tan driver side door that must have been replaced after a crash. It had one remaining hubcap that was cracked in half and hanging on for dear life. The owner had expertly matched the red tape to the busted-out tail light, and from a distance, it almost appeared as if the plastic cover was still intact. I was honestly envious of the confidence, or sense of humor, that the driver of this car had in pulling right up to the front of this fancy restaurant. I love my grocery-go-getter, and in rural Dwight, it’s pretty fancy. I’m probably the envy of many in the school drop-off line, but why, when I pulled into a 5-star restaurant in Hoffman Estates, did I now feel embarrassed about my dirty midsize SUV? Have you ever felt like a 1991 Toyota Corolla in your relationship with Jesus? Have you ever felt unworthy, unclean or unqualified to sit with those who seemed to have a Lamborghini exterior? I think we feel unworthy in so many ways, and as a result, we disqualify ourselves for the love God so freely offers us through the gift of Jesus. It’s not just the current generation that believes the lie that they must clean themselves up before bringing their needs to Jesus. The Old Testament taught us this as well. There is a long list of people who were unable to approach the temple and worship God in their current state of sin and shame. Jesus came and completely turned all of this upside down. I love Him for that!! In Matthew 8:2, it says, “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, can you make me clean?” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man, “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately, he was cleansed of his leprosy.” I see two important points in this verse. First, the man boldly came and kneeled before Jesus. He was not limiting himself to what society expected of him. He believed Jesus was the Savior he needed, and he bravely asked for what he needed. Secondly, Jesus did not hesitate. He was not limited by law. He went straight for the unclean and touched and healed him. God accepts us as we are. There is no need to clean it up before we come to him with our needs. Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If you feel unworthy, you aren’t completely wrong in that feeling. You are worthy, but not because you are worthy. You are worthy because Christ has made you worthy. Feeling unworthy of God’s love devalues what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. We are free to draw near to his throne of grace with freedom and confidence. Or, in other words, confidently pull that Corolla up to the valet. In God’s eyes, we all appear as Lamborghini’s because the blood of Christ covers us.
How Do You Experience God’s Redemption?
How often do we feel overwhelmed, forgotten, scared, guilty, hurt, or disappointed, and yet, by the grace of God, we have been redeemed, but how do you experience God’s redemption? All we have to do is participate. Redemption, defined by dictionary.com, is an act of redeeming, rescue, or deliverance from sin. For followers of Christ, we know He is our Rescuer. Ephesians 1:7 states, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” It Hit Me The other night I was wiping down my kitchen counters for the evening, reflecting on some of the different aspects of faith and being a follower of Christ. Simple moments can bring such clarity. The idea came to me (no doubt from the Holy Spirit) that you cannot fully know the power of God’s redemption until you allow yourself to fully participate in the process of God’s redemption. Jesus is Our Rescuer. He died on the cross, bearing the world’s sins. There’s not a pain you’ve felt that He didn’t also experience. So when we find ourselves lost for one reason or another, we need only to look to Him. What If I Don’t Believe? If you are not a Christian, if you had a bad experience, if you’re not sure what to believe, if you don’t believe in any God, or whatever else, I ask you to try participating in the process of His rescue. God wants a relationship with you. No. Matter. What. Much like if you shut out a close friend trying to help you, Jesus cannot rescue you unless you participate in a relationship with Him. Actively so. I ask you to try. Try walking alongside Him, allowing Him into your heart, and letting Him guide your path. Unless you participate, you may not experience the greatest joy possible. This looks like reaching out to someone who does believe for help and mentorship. It looks like praying. A lot. It looks like reading the Bible, joining a church community, and even a church Lifegroup. How Can I Help? If you are a Christian, I encourage you to remember that those who haven’t experienced the power of redemption, cannot walk in and live from this understanding. Grace, grace, grace. Remember our call to lovingly help restore the hurt by bringing them to the One who can help, the only One who can. This looks like inviting people to church or Lifegroup. It looks like praying for them. A lot. It looks like sacrificing your comfort to show them God’s love. It looks like doing what you can to bring them to God.
Recovering Perfectionist Under Construction
Hi, I’m Erica, and I am a recovering perfectionist! Can you relate? Since my earliest memories, I have been drawn to perfection. As a kid, I despised the idea of a toy box! All of those random toys just tossed in one big box in such a haphazard way! What a terrible idea! When my oldest was a toddler I started a system with shoebox-sized totes for each of his toys. I labeled them with clip art of the toy it contained; legos, potato head, etc. I was the living example of a place for everything and everything in its place. A clean house, a clean refrigerator, and clean sheets make me happy. I love clean lines and hate clutter. I didn’t realize how rigid and structured my life was until I started having kids. Nothing throws “the plan” for your life into a fiery tailspin faster than those tiny, sticky, boogery, clumsy, inquisitive, adorable, little humans you created. Your standards must be lowered whether you want them to be or not. Your very sanity depends on it. Hitting A Low Being A Perfectionist I hit a low one morning when my twins were about a year old and my oldest was four. The kitchen floor was so sticky that I put slippers on so that I wouldn’t have to suffer through the sensation of the unidentifiable goo that was holding my barefoot to the floor! My one-year-old son was crawling around eating goldfish crackers off the dining room floor from the day before. My blood pressure went up and I wanted to scoop him up and start sweeping and mopping the floor, but I was tired, and I knew it would be hard work that would be undone in an instant when the next full bowl of cereal went crashing to the floor. Instead, I let him do it. Not my best moment; I’m not bragging here, but I had this thought, “It won’t kill him! He’s not crying, and he’s actually cleaning up the floor, and I drank my coffee.” That day was the beginning of a revelation for me that is still growing. My desire for everything to be balanced, efficient, clean, and perfect was an impossible and unrealistic goal. I could not ever achieve what my mind craved. It left me feeling defeated, frustrated and irritated. It constantly distracted me from the good things that were happening on the sticky floors of my home. Why Am I Like This? After my oldest child was diagnosed with cancer, this truth hit me even harder. The to-do list, the freshly mowed grass, the flowers actually getting watered after they were planted, the checkbook balanced to the penny and the meal plan actually being executed didn’t matter anymore. Being a perfectionist didn’t matter anymore. People and time were what mattered. However, I swung too far the other way. I got into an “all or nothing” mode of thinking. I knew that I could not perform tasks to the level that I wanted to, so I was paralyzed into not starting things at all. That was hard on my mind as well. I still had perfectionist thoughts and desires, but now I was feeling guilty for them. I started to dislike myself and be upset by my own personality. Self-critical, another trait I have since learned belongs to a true perfectionist. I would think “Why am I like this?!” He Is A Perfector Of Your Faith God gently showed me one day that loving things that are perfect is not a bad thing. He is perfect in all His ways. He designed me (and you) with purpose and intention. My grace is sufficient for you; for My strength and power are made PERFECT in your weakness. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 My love for perfection was placed in me by God so that I would be drawn to Him; not a spotless, Pinterest worthy kitchen. In the past I would seek fulfillment in things like a clean car, and then it would rain, or the kids would spill a drink and that achievement was gone. I was seeking contentment in things that wouldn’t last, and was always left feeling empty. When I discovered God was THE ONLY PERFECT THING in my life, and directed my desire and disappointment toward Him, everything changed. I found true contentment in all of the messy, imperfect things around me. I still struggle. I’m not claiming that all is easy. I just have balance now, and when I feel myself being pulled toward my old tendencies, I now know how to redirect those toward God. Honestly, it’s Him I’m actually craving! It’s the peace, that only He can provide, that passes all understanding. He is the Rock, His work is PERFECT, for all His ways are law and justice. – Deuteronomy 32:4 I’m not advising you to let your children eat off the floor, but I am advising you to put your desires on the only PERFECT one, God himself. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
When Tragedy Strikes
2017 has been a tough year with disaster and tragedy becoming a common occurrence. Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, shootings, attacks, and the list goes on and on. You haven’t recovered from the last one when the next one hits. So much loss, so much devastation, so much hurt. It can be overwhelming and exhausting, and sometimes you may feel like the battle is being lost. Can you relate? Do you ask yourself, “When will it stop? Why does this happen? What am I supposed to do?” Evil is real. It’s a cold, hard fact of our world. You can’t run from it, hide from it, or escape it. We’ll never know why the bad stuff happens. It doesn’t make sense. What Can I Do? When that evil rears it’s ugly head, take time to remember. Remember that in the end God wins. Remember that God’s love is stronger. Remember that God’s grace is bigger. Remember that God’s plan is better. Take time to turn to God’s Word, the Bible, for direction and encouragement. Download the Youversion app on your phone, tablet, or computer. You can find reading plans based on different topics to help you with your specific questions. Add Bible time to your calendar, schedule it in and make it a priority. If you spend time every day in God’s Word, you will see a difference. Guaranteed. Try it and see what happens. Pray. Then pray some more. And when you’re done, pray again. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:21 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world. – John 16:33 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. – Psalm 34:18 In his kindness God has called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. – 1 Peter 5:10 Sometimes we don’t know what to say to our kids in the midst of the tragedy. Here is a resource that maybe helpful to you: How To Talk To Your Kids About Tragedy
A Divine Appointment Part 1
I had an appointment that morning. I don’t like to be late, so I was being very careful to finish up what I was working on so I could leave on time. However, I needed to take some time to pray so I went to the prayer room for some privacy. I lifted up many people and many things and then, right before I was finished, I prayed, “God, I know you don’t need me to do anything for you today, but I want to do whatever you would like me to do. If there is someone I encounter today that needs to experience your love, please bring them to my attention. Lord, I know I get busy and distracted. Will you please make sure that I am aware of the person that needs to see you?” Prayer is powerful my friends. God is powerful and there is nothing he cannot do, and He was getting ready to answer my prayer in a surprising and abrupt way! I left the church on time. I had driven about half a mile when a car came flying up behind me and hit me. My appointment was my first thought, “I am going to be late. I hate to be late.” My second thought as I was pulling off to the side of the road was, “I hope they pull over with me and don’t take off. I better check their plate and remember it.” The third thought, as I got out of my car and saw the person that hit me was, “It’s her!” She was talking about a mile a minute, and while she was talking to me I was talking to Jesus. “This is her! Wow, that was fast! Thank you for hearing me, thank you for introducing us, what do you want me to say to her?” The police took about half an hour to get there and half an hour to do paperwork. I had an hour to invest in this soul who was desperately in need of a relationship with Jesus. She was sharing her story with me as we waited on the side of the road with cars driving by. During that hour, she described a life of incredible pain, unimaginably difficult life circumstances. I could see that she was stuck at the point of her pain. For someone stuck fast in quicksand, this accident could have added more weight and pushed her under, but that morning, Jesus had other plans. Jesus saw me and he saw her and changed both our plans into a divine appointment. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) Read A Divine Appointment Part 2