When I was in the fourth grade, we were required to know all the capitals and states of America. My momma had bought my sisters and I this really cool puzzle with all the state names and capitals on a big map so it was really easy for me to practice for my test. I would sit in the floor putting together my puzzle/map while my sister called out a state to me, and I would respond with the capital. Lauren: Illinois? Me: SPRINGFIELD! Lauren: South Dakota? Me: Uh, Columbia? Lauren: ... Read More about Cheyenne, Wyoming & Mark 2
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The IKEA Chair & Mark 1
It was a sunny afternoon shortly after Kevin and I had bought our first house together. I had just made my third IKEA run of our marriage, and I had purchased a beautiful, blue wing-back chair for our living room. Now, if you’ve ever bought furniture from IKEA that requires assembly; you know where this is headed. ... Read More about The IKEA Chair & Mark 1
Just who exactly is Mark?
Before we begin, I would like to include a video here by the Bible Project. on the gospel of Mark. The Bible Project is a non-profit animation studio that makes short videos about the bible. They are very helpful videos to use as you begin a new book of the bible, and I often use them in my personal study. Let's watch their Mark video, here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVRixfameGY The gospel of Mark is technically anonymous, but we attribute the gospel to John Mark. John Mark was a Jewish ... Read More about Just who exactly is Mark?
Christ & Culture- An invitation to Study the Gospel of Mark
It was a 7:30 AM class with the most distinguished Bible professor at my University. Everyone wanted to take this classes, and there were rumors that if you did well… you might even get an offer to his Wednesday night bible study group. But that invitation was for the seriously intelligent and going-somewhere Christian. ... Read More about Christ & Culture- An invitation to Study the Gospel of Mark
Illegal Immigrants, Refugees, & Migrants
Unless you've had your head buried in the sand, Immigration is a big issue right now. The media is having a field day with the "migrant detention centers," and the separation of children from their parents. U.S human activists are outraged by the recent reports which document the number of families who have been split apart due to illegal immigration and our new zero tolerance policy. Other people are outraged by the vast amount of people illegally entering our country and having the privileges ... Read More about Illegal Immigrants, Refugees, & Migrants
The Appalachian Trail & Marriage
175 steps later, Kevin and I arrive at the base of the falls, both panting and gasping for air. We then see a sign ahead: I steal a glance at him, adjusting my 25-pound backpack to sit closer to my back. My backpack contains everything we need to make it through the next four days- tent, water purifier, sleeping bags, and of course all our food. I chuckle to myself a little, remembering our conversation from a few nights before. “Shelby, are you sure you want to take the percolator? That’s ... Read More about The Appalachian Trail & Marriage
African Children’s Choir
"Auntie, maybe the bus will break down and we can stay at your house for a little while longer. I'm not ready to leave" -words spoken by new Ugandan friend. And I feel as though my little heart might leap right out of my chest. Kevin and I have had the pleasure of hosting three young children & their chaperone from Uganda these past few days. They are doing a ten month tour of the United States with the African Children’s Choir. These children come from the poorest parts of Uganda, and ... Read More about African Children’s Choir
Why you don’t have to read the Bible
I begin scanning the news headlines from the Skimm, and they begin their news summary with a (usually funny) Quote of the Day, which today reads as follows: "Repetitive, self-contradictory, sententious, foolish" – GQ, explaining why the Bible is on its list of books you don't have to read. Bold move. Immediately I click on the link, which is an article written about 21 books you don’t have to read In their opening paragraph they begin this way, “We’ve been told all our lives that we ... Read More about Why you don’t have to read the Bible
What my Dad & horses taught me about life
“Dad!!! Daaaaaaad” “he won’t go” I yelled loud as I could with tears streaming down my face. I was riding my dad’s horse, Trigger, and he had been giving me issues all day. It was hot, wasps and horse flies kept swarming in to sting him, and we’d been riding for a few hours already. If you’ve never ridden horses before, you probably don’t realize the leg pain that comes from being in the saddle, the smell of sweaty leather and poop that’s constantly in your nostrils, and the sudden jolt that ... Read More about What my Dad & horses taught me about life
One Bible can change it all
I had the privilege of meeting a man yesterday who works for EEM, an organization called Eastern European Mission. Eastern European Mission began bravely smuggling bibles behind the Iron Curtain in 1961, and their work has continued into 2018. On EEM’s website, you will find a description of their history that details their fascinating work of distributing Bibles free of charge to parts of Eastern Europe. In 2016, EEM began distributing bibles into the public-school systems of Ukraine, and they ... Read More about One Bible can change it all
When the Poor come knocking on your door.
.."Herschel? Yea... uh huh... uh huh. OK. I’ll meet you down there. Sure off airways and Lamar." I look over at Kevin wondering who he could possibly be speaking too. “While you were gone, this couple knocked on our door asking for money because they just got evicted from their home” he explains. "So you're meeting them downtown to give them money?" I say incredulously. "Yea- they are going to stay in a half-way house for a week..." So where exactly are you meeting them?" “Oh ... Read More about When the Poor come knocking on your door.
a word on Jules Woodson & Andy Savage
When I read the story about Jules Woodson of Texas and Andy Savage and what transpired between the two of them so many years ago, my heart sank. Andy Savage was the one who had the courage to talk about sex, pornography, and how damaging they were to a marriage. Andy Savage was the one who preached the gospel into my heart when I was certain that I’d never be allowed to heal from all that I had done sexually in my teen years. When I was their age, I was actively engaged in sexual sin myself, ... Read More about a word on Jules Woodson & Andy Savage
I’m going fishing, fishing, fishing…
I rise early, only to jolt back awake a few minutes later this time on the couch instead of my bed. Lord Jesus. How am I to learn of you, when I can’t seem to stay awake? Sheesh! Help! And I groggily begin reading the words of Day 3, Abide in Christ “Abiding in Christ is meant for the weak, and so beautifully suited for our feebleness. It is not the doing of some great thing, nor does Abiding demand that I first lead a holy and devoted life.” I find these words quite fitting for a ... Read More about I’m going fishing, fishing, fishing…
When your faith is a little tired, and you’re tired of resolutions
I remember the first time I heard Jesus calling my name. I was sixteen, and listening to our preacher speak of Jesus Christ’s love as I had so many times before in that little church when I felt a tug at my heart. “My darling, it is time for you to come.” . It was a simple sentence consisting of just a few words, but I knew they would change the course of my life. So I went forward, as many ahead of me have done, confessing my sins and believing in the name of Jesus Christ as my Lord and ... Read More about When your faith is a little tired, and you’re tired of resolutions
What kitten cats teach us
Each time I let my two little kitten cats out my front door, I am fearful. I am embarrassed to type the words out, but I have to admit they are true. I have two little cats (kitten cats, as I affectionately call them)- one was given to me by a customer of mine, and the other one, well let’s just say- I am glad I went to grab coffee that day and I’m glad the barista asked if I wanted to see a box full of abandoned kittens. I have slowly turned into a cat person- I used to hate cats for ... Read More about What kitten cats teach us