Love in LoCo

As I type this, 2017 is coming to a close.  For some, this has been a joy-filled year with weddings, babies, and other exciting endeavors.  Others, I am sure, can’t wait to close the door on a year that was challenging for some reason or another.  Maybe, like me, you feel a bit like you’re in a season of waiting and ushering in a new year is a little bittersweet – exciting to think about the possibilities that might come but also frustrating in some ways that a new year is starting with little change to circumstances you’ve been hoping would have changed by now.  Each school year our FCA staff does something called “One Word.”  Many do this by calendar year rather than school year but, regardless, the idea is that you pick a word, often with a verse behind it, that you want to embody for that year.  When our staff gathered for our back to school retreat back in August, I shared that my One Word for this school year was INVESTED, based off of Matthew 6:19-21: Do not store up for yo

I know there are a lot of advent and Christmas devotionals out there (hopefully you’re already taking some time to go through one right now as Christmas approaches) that are far better written than anything I have to say.  But as I’ve been spending time in God’s word lately, preparing my heart for the true meaning of the season, some important pieces have struck me and I just wanted to share.  Maybe they’ll be an encouragement to your heart in this busy time of year as well.  Ephesians 1:7-8 says, “ In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace   that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.”  With all wisdom and understanding.  God knew exactly what He was getting Himself into when He sent His only perfect Son to earth in human form.  It wasn’t like Jesus got here, lived 30 or so years, decided to start a ministry, and then was like, “Wowza.  These people are super messed up!  Do I really want t

About a month ago I read Daniel Henderson’s book, Transforming Prayer .  It’s an awesome book, and one that my pastor preached a series on at church a little over a year ago.  The basis of the book is that we must learn to seek God’s face before we seek His hand.  I will be the first to admit that until a couple of years ago, I had never given much thought to this idea.  I had also never really understood the power of prayer.  I don’t think that’s a coincidence.  I am by no means a prayer warrior, but in the past couple of years since my prayer life has deepened, God has answered so many prayers in my life, including the courage to change careers and the financial means to do so.  Just before Thanksgiving I had a chance to meet one of my huddle leaders for coffee.  We talked a lot about how her school year is going and how the huddle is going this year.  We then started talking about her family and her siblings coming home from college.  She shared that she and her brother had alwa