Serve Fruit at Your Holiday Gathering

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.—Galatians 5:22-23

Our gatherings with friends and loved ones may look a little different this year—possibly smaller, possibly more sparse. Your guest list may be limited by COVID concerns. Your menu may be limited by availability or budget. But no (more…)

Your Guide to Surviving Family Dysfunction over the Holidays

It’s the holiday season, which means tables filled with turkey, stuffing, ham,  mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Oh, and let’s not forget heaping sides of criticism, cattiness and unresolved conflict. Hail, hail; the dysfunctional gang’s all here!

I know what it is to be haunted by the Ghost of Holidays Past. I’ve washed down my Thanksgiving turkey with salty (more…)

I’m Not Who I Used to Be

Ask someone her greatest struggle as a Christ-follower, and she’s almost bound to say witnessing. And ask someone about the toughest audience to whom to witness, and she’s almost bound to say family.

In this space, we focus on victorious life in Christ despite adversity. But here’s an inconvenient truth: You cannot be truly victorious if you are defeated in your witness. (more…)