There are certain moments in life that become spiritual landmarks—moments we return to again and again because they remind us of God’s faithfulness. For me, baptism is one of those landmarks. I was first baptized in 1973 when I was nine years old at a Southern Baptist church. I remember making the decision to publicly…
Are We Still Chasing Utopia?
Sir Thomas More’s Utopia, especially in the introduction by John Anthony Scott (Washington Press), invites readers into a thought experiment that still feels uncomfortably relevant in 21st century America. When I first studied the Reformation during my undergraduate years—particularly the Renaissance period—I remember being struck by how deeply thinkers like More were wrestling with questions…
Reflections on John Chapter 1: Meeting Jesus, the Word Made Flesh
There are some chapters in Scripture that are so rich and profound that we could spend weeks studying them and still discover something new. John Chapter 1 is one of those chapters. The Gospel of John opens with some of the most powerful words in the Bible: “In the beginning was the Word, and the…
Welcome Home: Why Emilie Barnes Still Speaks to the Hearts of Women Today
In 1997, author and homemaking mentor Emilie Barnes published a book called Welcome Home. Nearly three decades later, its message feels more relevant than ever. In a world that often celebrates busyness, productivity, and constant achievement, Barnes offered a different vision. She invited women to see their homes not as another item on a never-ending…
The Little Yellow Toy Room
Back in 2019, I decided to create a special place in our home just for the grandchildren—a bright yellow toy room filled with imagination, creativity, and memories waiting to be made. Today, when our grandchildren come to visit, they don’t ask for tablets or video games. Instead, they race down the hall to “the toy room,” a cheerful space where…
When Worship Speaks to Every Sense: Rediscovering Sacred Rhythm Thought Multisensory Faith
Worship is often imagined as something we hear—music, preaching, spoken prayer. But throughout Scripture and Christian history, worship has engaged far more than hearing alone. It has invited the whole body into participation: sight, touch, movement, even smell and silence. This is the heart of multisensory worship and a growing movement of liturgical renewal—returning to…
We Will Cherish These Times: A Letter From My Father
There are certain pieces of paper that become treasures. Not because they are rare or valuable, but because they hold the voice of someone you love long after they are gone. One of those treasures for me is a birthday card from my father. My dad passed away in 2016 after a difficult battle with…
When the Fog Lifts
Legacy is often misunderstood as something o leave behind when you’re gone. But a better way to think about it is through the image of fog. When you’re standing in a thick fog, you can only see a short distance ahead. Life often feels that way. We don’t know all the outcomes of our conversations,…
Praying the Prayer of Salvation
Praying the Prayer of Salvation: Beginning a Relationship with Jesus There are moments in life when we pause long enough to ask the big questions. Perhaps it happens during a difficult season. Maybe it comes in the quiet moments after the children are asleep, during a long drive, or after the loss of someone we…
Winter Sleigh Ride in Pennsylvania
There’s just something about winter that makes you want to lean into the simple, old-fashioned moments again—the kind that don’t need much planning, just a warm blanket, cold air on your cheeks, and time slowing down a little. The sound of hooves on snow, the soft jingle in the distance, the way everything feels quieter…