I remember laying on the floor of my (Christian) college dorm lamenting the curse of Eve. “Why did she have to eat that stupid apple?” I wailed. It was that-time-of-the-month and I was wracked with cramps and bubbling with angst. Women often joke about the difficulties our fair sex faces, childbirth chief among them. We expect pain, … More Holy Labor * Book Review & Giveaway!
It’s kind of a mess out there, isn’t it? Tensions are running high. Democrat vs. Republican. Black Lives Matter vs. Blue Lives Matter. Young vs. Old. Rich vs. Poor. Us vs. Them. Policies vs. People. So much is broken. When I get up to preach these days I feel a lot of weight on my … More Doing Good Anyway * 10 Minute Devotional
Because let’s face it, we all need a tune-up now and then! 1. Say “I’m sorry” first I am terrible at this one.I’ll admit it. I like to wait until I’m feeling it. This is a mistake. Don’t wait. Admit you were wrong. Admit it even if it was a mistake. Admit it even if your … More 10 Ways to Boost Your Marriage
My husband thinks its adorable that I change into pajama pants the minute I get home. (I married well in that he thinks it’s adorable and not some sort of neurosis.) I like to be comfortable! Really, who doesn’t? The problem comes when I decide that comfort is the ultimate goal of my spiritual life, too. … More God of Discomfort * 10 Minute Devotional
A few months ago, Daryl and I arrived home in separate cars around the same time. He parallel parked (we live in a townhouse and park on the street outside) and walked over to me, a big grin on his face, his arms open wide for a hug. I couldn’t meet his gaze. My … More Chin Up * 10 Minute Devotional
Last week my mom and my husband both asked what I wanted for my birthday. Most years, I would have had an answer at the ready. New shoes. A book. A pedicure. A night out. This time, the question made me pause. What did I want? In the last six months our family has celebrated … More My Birthday Wish
As a 90s youth group kid, I spent a lot of years singing songs that haven’t aged particularly well. There is the line in “Knowing You” that tells God “you’re the BEST,” like he’s a super good mailman or something. There are the dorky motions to “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.” There is the overwrought chorus to … More Where’s the Help? * 10 Minute Devotional
With the Olympics on, I’m guessing I’m not alone in feeling decidedly average. I can’t do a three-and-a-half somersault dive. No triple back layouts on the balance beam for me. There has never and will never be a day when I jump a nine-foot fence on a giant thoroughbred. My greatest sporting accomplishment was an … More Free to Be Average * 10 Minute Devotional
In seminary I was just an hour’s train ride from Manhattan. Upon hearing this, when my little sister came to visit, she insisted that we go into the city for an adventure. We loaded up all our tourist gear (huge cameras, ridiculous sandals, cross-body bags… yeah, we were stylin’) and hopped on the Staten Island Ferry. … More Pesto, Hamlet, Desperation, and Love * 10 Minute Devotional
I live in California. AKA paradise. Except for home prices, traffic, and the occasional earthquake, it’s pretty amazing here. One of my favorite parts of southern California is the palm tree. You can’t throw a rock in my neighborhood without hitting one. You can’t drive a block without spotting one. To me, palm trees say: … More Let Your Roots Be Crazy * 10 Minute Devotional
Courtney Ellis 