Not My Own

I will never forget the moment when my son was born when I finally knew he was a he! The surgeon told my husband to look over the blue curtain hanging to hide my c-section in order to call out the gender. "It's a boy!" Andrew said with a huge smile on his face. All the joy we had in that moment had nothing to do with the fact that we were having a boy. We were just thrilled to finally meet our beloved child! Our heart was not set on any specific gender. Now that we are expecting our second child, once again nothing has changed. We honestly have absolutely no gender preference. We are just thrilled to have another child join our family. I haven't done my research, but it seems to me most people prefer to find out the sex of their baby at their second ultrasound appointment. It's even trendy these days to have a gender reveal party. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that and encourage celebrations. So please don't think I am trying to convince anyone t...

I used to think Christians were incredibly lame when they said, "I have to do my devotions this morning." It made God sound like a mean and boring history teacher making Christians do homework. Perhaps this is why the idea of traditional devotions was never appealing to me. The truth is, I don't read the Bible everyday.  This is not something I am proud of. I am not a very good structured sit down devotional type of Christian. I do enjoy reading the Bible though. Well, honestly that's only true when I read something inspiring and that seems to move my heart that day. Other times I read the Bible and get frustrated, confused, or just bored. But at least I can check that off my good Christian to-do list if I was organized to have a list that is. I have always been taught that if we want a relationship with God we have to pursue God with all our heart, mind, and soul. I believe many know how to seek God with their minds and hearts but not with their soul. People are gr...

In honor of Martin Luther and Reformation Day (yesterday) here is what I would post to the door of the United Methodist Church or Headquarters. (If you need a quick history lesson click here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation_Day ) Dear UMC, There are many qualities I love about the United Methodist Church. I love your open communion table for any age or denomination. One doesn't have any hoops to jump through in order to participate in the Lord's Supper. I love your inclusion for females in leadership roles. I admire your agenda for outreach and social justice. I absolutely love your connectionalism and value the relationships I have made through your gift to network. God is doing an incredible work through you and I know people are experiencing Jesus Christ through this denomination. I am thankful for you. I would like you to know a little bit of my story with you. I was hired to work at a UMC five years ago and even though I was not born and raised Methodist, ...

 Nannying is not a life career choice for me, but it is currently a way I can help pay the bills and be with my son until my husband graduates. I remember my interview with Kristal at Starbucks when she said, "We are a Christian family, we are the real deal." I wasn't exactly sure what "the real deal" in her perspective meant, but I was hoping what she meant was that this family really loved Jesus and they weren't just culturally Christian. I was hoping this family would truly reflect the love of Christ to me and would allow me to do so with them. After a few weeks of nannying for them they seemed like the "real deal". However, I have learned there are so many people who love to call themselves Christians, but don't really love Christ or others very well. I really wanted to believe this family was the real deal since I just left an unhealthy work environment and wanted to trust my next employers. One day while playing with the kids I felt m...

I am not sure how much more I can stand listening to reports about "Who is winning" when it comes to the government shutdown. I don't like politics but I do believe politics are necessary. I absolutely can't stand when political parties give themselves God's stamp of approval on everything they decide. Most of all, I hate how so many people associate the term "Christian" to political beliefs. What is so political about Jesus? How did Jesus become such a political figure today? Well, the truth is people have been trying to make Jesus a political figure since the Bible times. The Jews were waiting for the Messiah (meaning saviour) to come in a political sense. Jews were waiting for God to send a a hero to conquer the Roman empire. This Saviour would also rescue them from socio-economic troubles as well. God sends Himself not as warrior or political hero but humbly as a helpless baby boy. God always seems to show up in ways through out the Bible complete...

As a youth minister, typically youth seek me out the most when they need help making a big decision such as... Should I date him/her? Should I come out and admit I am gay? Should I live with my mom or dad? Should I break up with him/her? What college should I go to? Should I get baptized? Should I be friends with so and so still? Sometimes I question why it is that it takes a crisis to get youth to reach out to me. Yet, I realized I love them so much I am just delighted whenever they want to talk to me!  I think this is how God feels when I constantly go to Him in need. I used to feel guilty when I mostly talked to God only when I had a crisis. Now, I believe God is so thrilled when I admit I need Him, that as a parent He waits for me with open arms. My initial response to students is the desire to fix their pain and give them the right answer even if I don't know what that is. I have learned the best thing to is to LISTEN first, and then help teach them to LISTEN to Go...

Nearly every 4th of July I have been with my Dad up at my Grandparent's cottage. I have countless wonderful memories there, and some very difficult ones. My latest memory at the cottage, was pouring my Dad's ashes into the lake that he loved so much. Today is Independence Day and instead of grilling out and swimming at the cottage, I am sitting inside very far away from my family while it's pouring down rain. The all day rain reflects my solemn heart at this moment. Sometimes to process I have to sit in my hurt and just let the healing rain pour down. (My Dad,childhood friends, Me -right) When I was a kid Independence Day was one of my favorite holidays. It meant going up to the cottage and seeing my neighbor friends who are like family. It meant boating, swimming, campfires, fire-works on the lake, hikes in the woods, ice-cream, sparklers, grilling, bike rides to town, glow sticks, demolition derby, parades, exploring the rail-road tracks, listening to loud drunk ...