A Prayer for the First Night of Fostering Placement

Yesterday, I was someone different. Today, I am a parent. Tomorrow is yet unknown. In all of it, I am yours, God.

A Wild & Precious Easter

I had the opportunity to go on a much-needed vacation last week with my husband to sunny Key West. Because he had looked forward to this for weeks, he immediately wanted to book some excursions. We settled on a jet ski tour around the island and a boat trip that included snorkeling in the middle of the ocean.

Game of Thrones & Christians: What’s a Christ-Follower to Do?

A family member of mine recently sent me this article (“Can a Christian Watch Game of Thrones?”) and asked me to respond. The author argues that the show contains sex, violence and power struggles without the obvious good versus evil struggle contained in works like the blatantly Christian Lord of the Rings where the reader knows who will win.

Becoming a Church

Peter Pan premieres at the box office. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States. The Korean War ends. These events all occurred in 1953, the same year that a church plant was created.

Good Evening

We had just spent a fun night with good friends and made a few new ones when it was time to head home. As we stood in the street saying our goodbyes, I saw an elderly woman walking by, curiously trying to understand why there were so many young Japanese and internationals in her neighborhood at ten o’clock.

A 4,000 Mile Friendship

In September, I was blessed to be on a planning team for the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship that brought nine travelers from partner churches of the Protestant Churches of Morocco (E.E.A.M.) to Kentucky for a tour of partner churches and mission sites. The purpose of the trip was to renew partnership and encourage other churches to join in.

Priesthood of the Believer

As a Baptist, I have always been drawn to the concept of the priesthood of the believer in church life. In scripture, we learn how Christ equipped everyday women and men to share his message and do great things in his name, and that we are called to do the same today, no matter our role in modern society.

Why Did God Call Me?

I had the privilege of preaching recently on the well-known Exodus Chapter 3 passage about Moses and the burning bush. You know the one. Moses is happy in obscurity, herding his father-in-law’s sheep when—BOOM!—God appears to Moses as a burning bush in the wilderness.

Top 10 Experiences of the First Year in Japan

On September 5, we celebrate our first year of ministry and life in Japan. We each compiled a list of our our Top 10 Experiences of our first Year with explanations below.

God’s Crowd

No matter the sport, no matter the season, we hear their title. In conversations with friends in the office as well as all over social media, men and women alike express their disgust at their interest and enthusiasm.

Spring and Sakura

Many people around the world know that Japan is famous for its abundance of cherry trees that blossom in the early spring with various shades of pink. During our first spring in Kanazawa, we were excited to see if the sakura (cherry blossoms) lived up to their hype.

Woman’s Best Friend

A few months ago, my husband and I adopted a dog from the Kentucky Humane Society. After three years of allergy shots, I was ready for my first canine. We had been to the shelter several times and never found the right one for us.

Earth Day 2014

Creation care is a hot topic these days, especially in Christian circles. For Laura and me, we find it imperative to take care of what God has given us to be able to share it with those who will come after us.

A Lesson in Humility

A few days ago, during a respite from one of the many polar vortexes that have blown through Louisville, I took my dog for a walk. My neighbor called me over. “Hey there! I saw you fall the other day.”