She graciously shared her marriage with me—because she needed me to know what she was giving us. Her donations weren’t simply unused items from a tired, old closet. The items she brought were a part of her love story….

Every one of us is called to live out the spousal love of marriage. Sometimes this looks like uniting ourselves intimately and exclusively with Christ, often it means man and woman entering into a sacramental marriage together with God.

On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, I think about Flannery's words; (yes, I want to be on a first-name basis with this brilliant writer whose books ruin me in the best possible way.) I remember a few years ago speaking with an evangelical friend who told me baptism was merely a symbol of a saved heart and was in no way necessary. …A symbol—merely representing a perceived reality but effecting no real change? Well, if that's the case, I wanted to echo my girl Flannery's words, "Then to hell with it!"

This twinkle in the sky that was last seen during the invasions of Genghis Khan and last seen before that when our Lord Jesus Christ was a baby just recently slipped through our sky again. It is a grace to be connected with generations past in this special way, a common thread that ties a unique experience together. It reminds us that we are a part of something bigger — a family of men and women who come into this world and look toward the heavens for something more. And perhaps the most beautiful gift of all is realizing the beautiful truth that there is indeed something to be seen when we look up.

Just as Christ sanctified the waters of Baptism by His very participation in the River Jordan, so too did our Lord, by entering into humanity through the womb of a woman, sanctify both the dwelling place of the unborn and the family that receives new life.

Why did Jesus become small? He is the author of all life, the science of generation, and the power that begets all things, yet He made Himself small so that through the womb of His mother, He could enter into the vulnerability of man.

They see the impossible before them like the Israelites when they stood before the Red Sea. Frightened and overcome by despair they can’t think past the barrier before them—there is no way forward that doesn’t destroy me…  With their toes on the water’s edge and the Egyptians closing in, do you remember what Moses told the Israelites?

This Advent, give your children what they are searching for, one day at a time. Give them a starting point, context, belonging. Our Jesse Tree helps you to teach your children that the Story of Salvation is their family story, and it isn't over yet! That God has a special mission for them to share in His holy work. And, made in the image & likeness of God, their identity within His family is sacred.

Wines from well-nourished vines lack the flavor for a successful vintage. It's the struggling vine that places energy into producing fruit for the sake of survival. The sweetest grapes attract birds that ensure the seeds of the crop spread. It is the suffering vine that considers life after death, that places the most value in the fruit it gives to the world and gives its suffering purpose.

I have met some of the best humans on the planet while doing pro-life work, but I’ve also met some of the most arrogant and narrow-minded. For most of us, our pro-life efforts are rooted in the truth of our faith, but sadly not everyone does this work by the light of Christ.

Mary and Martha helped me to understand that God is there when our ministries are thriving and when they are hanging on by a thread. He is there to make business decisions with, to laugh with, to cry with… He is there to rehash all the moments you’ve struggled, and He is ready to wrap you in His arms when you sob and explain to Him all the reasons you are unworthy and unable and unbelievably overwhelmed….

If you had one day left to live, what would you do? …Every now and then we'll stumble across a meme that reminds us of what Jesus did on His last day, He washed feet. But I’d argue He didn’t just wash feet, He chose to wash the feet of 12 men, one of whom was Judas. Judas.

“Well, imagine it…He is asking you. Our Lord loves us so deeply that He desires us to have exactly what we need to flourish. He wants to lavish us with His good gifts, His grace, His love, His virtue…

As long as the right to simply live is dependent on any subjective want or need, we will never be able to orient ourselves within our community with confidence that our journey toward our heavenly home will find a successful end. We will constantly wander in a gray area, a sort of disturbance in the magnetic field that throws us off course.

I’m sure everyone has heard of the 20/80 principle—20% of people do 80% of the work. I have found it to be frustratingly true. How many of you in church ministry see new faces volunteering each week?

After parking, Evelyn made her way across the front of our building to the abortion clinic next door. As she passed, our sidewalk advocates asked her if there was anything they could do for her. Evelyn requested prayers with the caveat that they did not pray she chose life...

I don't know about you, but some words stop me in my tracks. I am glad they do. I don't want to say, nevermind pray, something I don't mean. 

Today's blog was going to be many things, because there is so much to say. To explain that my heart has been scooped up by Rose Hawthorne is an understatement

Today, I would like to share a true story that exposes a painful wound that aches within communities throughout our country.

Many, many years ago I worked for a military organization. During this time, money was tight. I was working full-time with two littles in daycare, and at night, I went to school to finish my degree. My husband was gone. He was always gone. Training. Deployed. Gone.