Most self-help books are quite confident about offering us advice on how to live our best life now by losing weight, gaining confidence, dealing with family issues, or hustling our businesses. Their remedies are “quick,” “never fail,” “bite-sized,” and “sassy. “Be a badass”, says one, “make some d*mn money already.” “Wake up to the miracle…
Of all my favorite heresies, mental self-determination probably tops the list. I am what I choose to be. Most of the primary spiritual experiences of my life had been framed in that language: I had made a saving decision. I had answered the door when Jesus knocked. I had remained steadfastly annoyed by my Reformed…
Well hello my dears, As you may have heard, I’M LAUNCHING A BOOK CLUB (you can read more about that here) where I will feature a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and spiritual titles over the next several months. And I’m so excited to kick it off with John Green’s gorgeous young adult novel, Turtles All The…
When I was suddenly diagnosed with cancer, words to describe my situation came easily. I was “sick,” or “desperately ill,” or, let’s face it, “dying.” Now that modern medicine and lots of prayers have wrought a miracle, I’m no longer so close to death but what am I? Doctors will not allow the word “cured”…
When I was suddenly diagnosed with cancer, words to describe my situation came easily. I was “sick,” or “desperately ill,” or, let’s face it, “dying.” Now that modern medicine and lots of prayers have wrought a miracle, I’m no longer so close to death but what am I? Doctors will not allow the word “cured”…
Hello my dears, Today, I want to introduce you to someone very special to me—my mom! Since we’re in the Mother’s Day spirit around here, I thought it would only be right to invite my mom to answer one of the questions I get all the time. Without further ado, meet Karen! She has a…
In the wake of Rachel Held Evan’s death, so many of you have asked questions like: What do I do with these awful feelings? When will they stop? Can I feel sad even if I never met her? I hope this will help. I know it helped me. How to Grieve Well: A Special Conversation…
Hello dear friends, We are launching the new season of Everything Happens with heavy hearts today. We join those grieving our teacher and author and pastor and friend, Rachel Held Evans. Rachel, 37, died suddenly on Saturday and leaves behind her husband and two kids. I have been working on taping a fresh podcast season…
Hello My Dears, Well, it’s been a minute. But I am thrilled to announce that we’re back! (And also deeply apologetic it took this long. So long. I am really sorry about that.) A new season of the Everything Happens Podcast will launch on Tuesday, May 7th. We all carry labels we wouldn’t necessarily choose…
Easter isn’t just one day—it is an entire season. The next fifty days celebrate Jesus’ victory over Sin and Death—which is even longer than Lent. It’s a reversal that resounds through all time and eternity, but can we party that long? You may have experienced that Easter joy again this year, where the truth of…
And so here we are: this is Holy Week, the final days of Lent. It is a time jam-packed with emotional lows and highs, powerful theology and moving services such as the foot washing of Maundy Thursday, the darkness of Tenebrae, and the vigils of Saturday night. Or maybe you are braving the Good Friday…
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day that marks the joyous entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. As in every other occasion of his earthly time among us, our expectations are reversed, and we are surprised again by a world turned upside down. It was not a warrior’s stallion that bore Jesus through the gates and…
