When Influencers Disappoint: A Response to the Chip and Joanna Gaines Controversy I’ll Be Honest—This One Stung Like many of you, I’ve loved watching Chip and Joanna Gaines build beautiful spaces and champion strong family values on our screens. Their creativity, charm, and commitment to excellence have inspired many of us as we’ve created homes...Read More
Sandpaper Friends & Sacred Circles: How God Uses Friendship to Refine Us A few years ago, I found this old, beat-up dresser at a garage sale. It was one of those clunky brown 1970s pieces with ugly brass knobs and layers of lacquer that screamed “Do not touch.” But I had a vision: bubblegum pink...Read More
When You’re Tempted to Peek Behind the Curtain: Why Tarot Cards and Fortune Tellers Are Not Harmless Fun By Marian Jordan Ellis It starts out innocent enough. A girl just wants to know what’s coming. She’s anxious about her future, uncertain about a relationship, overwhelmed with decisions—and then a friend suggests pulling a few tarot...Read More
Forgiveness Is the Hardest, Holiest Work You’ll Ever Do By Marian Jordan Ellis I used to think forgiveness was a checkbox.Something strong Christians did so they could move on with their lives.Something spiritual and tidy, like a polite nod of the soul. But then I had to forgive someone who hurt me deeply. And suddenly,...Read More
From Honeymoon to Carpool: Reflections on Life as a Bonus Mom When Justin and I got married, I came home from our honeymoon and immediately jumped into the world of carpooling, school projects, and navigating life as a bonus mom. To say it wasn’t how I imagined my life would be is an understatement. His...Read More
Lost in the Wrong Direction: What Biblical Repentance Really Looks Like Have you ever thought you were heading in the right direction, only to realize hours later you were completely lost? A dear friend of mine (who will remain nameless) once set off on a road trip to Houston. She had her music blasting, snacks...Read More
Each afternoon, when I check my mailbox, I grab the miscellaneous contents and immediately head to a trash can. Typically, my mail is filled with sales promotions and bills that are promptly tossed. But occasionally, checking the mail brings delight when I see an invitation sticking out of the pile. Invitations stand out because they...Read More
Everyone from Hollywood celebrities to old Church ladies talk about prayer, but what is it? And, what, if anything, does prayer accomplish? It is noteworthy that of all the things Jesus’ disciples asked Him, the one thing they asked Him to teach them was how to pray. The reason for their question is because they...Read More
You Have a Purpose in the Kingdom of God At dawn on Sunday, Mary Magdalene slipped into the cold Jerusalem morning. Her destination was the garden, where Jesus had been buried. Just two days ago, she watched in disbelief and agony as He was tortured and died. She was also there with Jesus’ mother, Mary,...Read More
Chances are you’ve probably sung the classic Christmas hymn, The First Noel. But have you stopped to ponder the meaning of the word, noel? The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in the field where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night...Read More
