Love Brightly

Updated: I've removed the Bible from this list because it's on a list all its own. It's the absolute most essential collection of written words ever, and if you need convincing, please read my previous post about it.  These books help you in your journey to better understanding the Bible, the Gospel, and your identity as a child of God: Reason for God, Tim Keller Faith is Not a Feeling, Ney Bailey The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman More Than a Carpenter, Josh McDowell The 3D Gospel, Jayson Georges The Mind of Christ, T.W. Hunt With, Skye Jethani The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones *FAQs: Q: Why is there no topical book on this list? A: You'll notice that this list doesn't include topical books that give advice about things like relationships, addictions, parenting, etc. I've read many topical books and have found the testimonies and advice of fellow be...

Perhaps you've noticed a void in my posts this calendar year? It's not because I haven't been writing. It's actually because I've been writing MORE. I've written a book! Yep, an entire book, and I'm in process of exploring avenues of how to best share that book with you. Details coming in 2019!

Many times I will hear people express their desire to see God reveal Himself in ways similar to how He did in the Old Testament stories. "If God is real, why don't we see the miracles?" Like the water standing up in the Jordan river, bread falling from the sky in His provision, parting of the Red Sea to escape from our enemies. In Joshua 3:7, the Lord gives us a glimpse into His motives, "The Lord spoke to Joshua: 'Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they will know that I will be with you just as I was with Moses .'" {emphasis mine} God gave some signs and wonders so that people would recognize His presence among His people. After Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection (the most marvelous sign and wonder!), God says that ALL who believe will receive His presence ( Ephesians 1:13-14 ), and that people will recognize God's presence in His children by the love they show ( John 13:35 ). God is unchanging; His...

5 years ago I created the acronym WHY as a way of pausing before using my smartphone. I've shared with audiences both live and digital how important it is to be intentional with technology. Here are 5 free lock screens from my most recent student conference-- Big Break . You can read more perspective on this topic in an article I wrote for Cru Winter Conference .

                 Want to stay connected and share moments with Facebook friends but not get overwhelmed or frustrated by controversy?  Facebook is the space where our connections are based on friendships, whereas other platforms can be more relationally removed and driven by subject—you follow accounts that feature your interests or inspirations, whether food, travel, world issues, self-improvement, etc. The average person on facebook (the exceptions being celebrities and business owners) interacts with a wide variety of people from real life—former classmates, extended family, co-workers, people in your community, people from your former community. These dynamics create a unique online experience, which is what keeps people coming back for more, but also what can turn people off. Some things to keep in mind in this unique Facebook setting regarding controversial conversations:  1. These online conversations do matte...

After weeks of traveling and being sick, we need to reset. I'm sure there are concoctions of vinegar and cayenne pepper that people recommend drinking as a cleanse, but yeah...we're just not gonna do that. Instead, we're going to eat healthy foods and allow our bodies to heal naturally. I don't have a name for this diet. I'm not joining a program or buying a cookbook, but instead I'm using my own smart brain that I have filled with knowledge of nutrition plus our trial and error experiences with food. So here's the approved food. We're doing this for the next 4 weeks and will re-evaluate: Organic fruits and veggies purchased raw and in season (i.e. no strawberries in January) Meat--only that which is purchased raw with a bone still attached and then cooked in my home Broth--reserved from cooking the veggies and meats already listed Homemade bread using a variety of whole grains excluding wheat Homemade tortillas using corn masa Long-grain bro...

Every time we travel it's the same story-- no place to prep and prepare our own groceries, no time to prep and prepare fresh options, so we grab fast things. We rely on restaurants, packages, and "convenience." But it's not convenient. The consequences come faster each time, and they are never convenient. They manifest like this: *migraines for hubby and youngest daughter *anxiety for oldest daughter *muscle pain and stiffness for 3 of 5 of us *digestive issues, all 5 *lower immune system and catching a cold (this year 3 of 5) *sluggishness, fogginess--4 of 5 *skin irritations like eczema and acne, 3 of 5 *lethargy and irritability, all 5 We combat with supplements--vitamins, probiotics, digestive enzymes. We up our defenses with essential oils and drinking lots of water. Those things help us from completely tanking for a short while, but if the travel is drawn out, they don't sustain us. Nothing compares to healthy food and exercise (which ...