I've never thought much about Saints. I didn't grow up Catholic and that's the realm in which I remembered hearing the term most often. I kept the shuttered away in mind with an enclave of angels. It wasn't until last week that I actually looked up the definition, which says: "A person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and typically regarded as being in heaven after death." That's from the dictionary, but if you look to the Bible, we needn't be dead to be considered saints. Saints in the Bible In 1 Corinthians, Paul calls all Believers "saints": “To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, the called saints, with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in … [Read more...]
Faith and Politics: How Can Christians Do Them Well?
Kaitlyn Schiess is a student at Dallas Theological Seminary and the author of "The Liturgy of Politics" -- a book that couldn't be more timely! The wisdom in these pages is endless, which is why I was so excited to speak with her about a topic I am so passionate about. In this interview: Why it's important to be very intentional about what you read/watch/listen to daily (and what questions to ask yourself about that)How the hyper-focus on "Jesus and me" relationships over community purpose has been a detriment to the faith What does evangelical mean and how did last week's riot at the Capitol reflect on American Christians? What does it mean to be taking actions now that have a truly heavenly, lasting purpose? Christians … [Read more...]
Top 5s in 2020: Books, Podcasts, Writing, TV, Lessons & More
2020 was hard, but it was also incredible in so many ways. I feel fortunate that I had what I would consider a good year, though my heart has grieved with so many who have lost loved ones or dealt with the struggle of job loss or depression. It's been a collective struggle, but there were still many highlights and I love reading them from others, so here are mine. I don't want to overthink it, so here are a few of the top 5s that came to mind. Because I'm not great at keeping lists in real time, I may have to amend this. I'd love to hear your Top 5s as well, friends! Top 5 "Worth Your Time" Podcast Episodes The podcast went from weekly to bi-weekly in 2020 -- which was a much needed change for me. I had some incredible guests and … [Read more...]
Single Moms and the Church: Jennifer Maggio’s Important Ministry
Jennifer Maggio first became a single mom at the age of 17 years old. She had another child two years later and struggled as a young mom seeking guidance and support. She had been through trauma as a child and wasn't sure where to find what she needed. Though she left the Church for some time, her faith eventually led her back to a community of believers. Ultimately, she realized there was something missing: a ministry or support group for single moms. The vast majority fo single parent households in the United States are led by Moms and 67% or more of those families do not attend church. There are both logistical and personal reasons for this high number, but Jennifer knew there was so much women could gain from faithfully … [Read more...]
