Theology vs. Geology
I was raised by a geologist. We took back roads and winding passes in search of isolated camp sites and undisturbed grounds. I was always proud to take my dad’s collection of trilobites and quartz to show and tell. I loved to hear about dinosaur digs and ancient mysterious beasts. My parents were Christians, I…
Salvation of a Mom…
The salvation of a mom is harder for a mother to embody. You see, tonight my soul is spread seven ways; serving Pizza and beer at a high-end joint downtown. It’s on a date that’s not a date but might be a date at a later date if it weren’t for all the history of…
Dear Mean Mommy, Give Yourself a Break
I am a mean mommy. Did I not hope to be sweet, tender … joyful? Certainly, this isn’t true? Surely, that can’t be the core of who I am, my entire identity? – is this what I went into the business of motherhood to be labeled as? In my most uptight and fitful moments, with…
How to Get Super Close to Jesus: One Easy Step
Ready to get super close to Jesus in one easy step? Okay. Say, “Good morning Jesus!” Done. Also, you can say this anytime. You aren’t mandated to do it at 4:30 am. If you sleep through your alarm, you can still say it. If you drive braless to drop kids at school, still okay. This…
Dear Mean Girl: I Know You Quite Well
Dear Mean Girl: I Know You Quite Well A few weeks ago we sent our youngest daughter, Sophie to public high school. The fact was, as I watched her make my girl way into the school every bad memory from adolescence flooded my mind. Notably, it was a whirlwind of fluorescent, aqua-net, designer imposter perfume,…
A Lil’ Romance is in Order…
For Christmas this year our older batch of children, the man-babies and the lady-babies, gave my husband, Justin and me a priceless gift. Wrapped in fancy paper was a coupon, offering free babysitting and dinner for two at our favorite restaurant in Dallas, the Nobu. I had a speaking event in the Dallas area so…
Dear Weight Watchers,
Hey, guys! Listen, Y’all are awesome. Talk about having your cake and eating it too. You can have cake! This is nice. It’s a lovely touch. I recently signed up, again, and I have high hopes. I left the last time because I was afraid of that orange monster. I have actual monsters that taunt…
Questions about Sin… Asking for a Friend
So I know this girl, and she was wondering, “When I ask you how to overcome your sin, what do you think about?” And I had to answer… “My sin.” So she went on to investigate: So you go to work on your sin. You pray about it. You read about it. You listen to…
GOD: The Artisan of Brave
A few nights after Kelly Balarie’s book was featured on the Today Show by Kathie Lee Gifford, I climbed into bed to read more of Kelly’s beautiful paperback. After a couple chapters, I rolled over to go to sleep and I went to work on my shortcomings, my inabilities, and disabilities. I fell asleep afraid…
Quitting #ClubJesus
It was an opportunity I am glad I did not miss, two men howling laughing at a bumper sticker that said, “Child of God on Board.” Their conversation was juvenile but spoke to me. Dude 1: If I slam into this car will hell fire fall? Dude 2: That would be awesome! Dude 1: I need…