You guys, there are only seven more weeks until Christmas. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! [That’s crazy, hysterical laughter because: OH MY GOODNESS THAT IS NOT MUCH TIME.] Working in ministry, the pre-Christmas season takes on many additional layers. There’s the early November “I don’t have time to prep for my family’s Christmas because there are a bajillion church … More 5 Ways to Celebrate Advent as a Family
1. Baby clothes are basically disposable I spent HOURS picking out clothing for my firstborn. Did I really want him to wear plaid? What type of plaid? Was tartan really HIM, or was he more of a stripes kid? You guys, baby clothes are cute and adorable and lovely and sweet and sooooo not worth having … More 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Having Kids
I’ve taken on too much this semester. You know the feeling. You’ve done it too. Maybe not this semester, but at some point you have taken on too much. Feel the tightening in your chest, the pressure bearing down on your shoulders, your racing thoughts. There is not enough time; there will never be enough … More Weary & Burdened * 10 Minute Devotional
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
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
You guys, it is FINISHED. Over. Done. At last. At loooooong last. No, I’m not talking about the area road construction (ha!), the nasty election season (grooooan…), or even some cosmic Jesus-y thing. I’m talking dissertation. Not mine, since I’m not in the mood for a PhD (now or possibly ever). My hardworking, faithful, diligent … More 10 Signs You’re a PhD Spouse
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
I read last week that there are 65.3 million refugees in the world. 65.3 million. It blew my mind a little bit, and not in a good way. California has a population of 39 million. There are more global refugees right now than there are people in California. (And as someone who drives in the insane traffic of southern California, let … More Staggering Statistics, Compassion, and You
Courtney Ellis 