Bloom!

They stared at each other, hands on hips, nose-to-nose, faces turned bright red. A little girl with straight brown hair argued with a boy not much bigger than she. From one glance at their faces, you could tell that they were very upset at each other. The boy furthered the fight along by sticking out his tongue at the girl. “How dare he do that!” she thought and quickly reached out her hand and pinched the boy’s arm. She pinched as hard as her little hands could allow. Anger was written all over her face. I must admit that little brunette who got in the fight with the boy was me. I remember my angry actions so clearly, just like a replay from a movie. The words, however, and our reason for the fight - those evade me and I don't have the slightest clue as to why we were so upset! You know, there's a saying that actions speak louder than words. I've seen so much truth in that statement over the years, especially when I remember the fight I had. It may have been 15...

Resurrection Sunday is this weekend! As we celebrate Jesus' sacrifice in coming to the earth, dying for our sins, and rising again, I thought this video by Ellerslie Mission Society (a ministry of Eric and Leslie Ludy) was a poignant and moving reminder of the Gospel and how incredible it is that Jesus has set us free from the bonds of sin. May this weekend be a time of hope and joy and renewal, because He is risen! Joanna, Jessina, & Megan

Continuing our weekly conversations... The deal: Each Thursday, we announce a question of the week. We seek to ask questions that spark interesting conversations, whether it simply be about books, traditions, spiritual disciplines, more theological matters, or anything related to life in general. You can join our conversations two ways: 1. Leave a comment with your thoughts! 2. Or, if you prefer, post an answer to your own blog and leave us a link to your post so we can comment and add to the conversation. If you post on your own blog, you are welcome to use the picture above as long as you link back to us somewhere in your post. This week's question... With Resurrection Sunday just around the corner, what Jesus-centered activities will be going on at your house?

Plans change. Especially when you're busily teaching on a reservation and gone for over seven hours a day. I wasn't able to post on Monday as I planned, but I figured it was better late than never! The barn roof is a very good place to cloud gaze. I should know, because after a day of tests, questions, and math problems, that's where I was. The wind blew my hair across my eyes and the sun glared down on my face. Spring, as of last week, had finally come. God gently whispered to my heart, "Joanna, see how I make the clouds follow a course? See how the wind beats and the sun shines? See how the rooster crows and the goats bleat? See My creation and how I take such care of everything? Can you trust Me to provide the next step for you?" I glanced up and noticed some clouds next to each other seemed to spell out the word "If" with a question mark. I took a double take. Maybe it was my imagination, but it certainly provided food for thought. Could...

Continuing our weekly conversations... The deal: Each Thursday, we announce a question of the week. We seek to ask questions that spark interesting conversations, whether it simply be about books, traditions, spiritual disciplines, more theological matters, or anything related to life in general. You can join our conversations two ways: 1. Leave a comment with your thoughts! 2. Or, if you prefer, post an answer to your own blog and leave us a link to your post so we can comment and add to the conversation. If you post on your own blog, you are welcome to use the picture above as long as you link back to us somewhere in your post. This week's question... Movies seem to be such a huge part of the life of an average teen (often believers and nonbelievers alike). Why do you think this is? And do you have any wholesome movies to suggest?

"Our aim in life is for "Christ to be magnified in our bodies whether by life or by death." (Philippians 1:19-20). In other words, with Paul, we do care - really care - about what others think of Christ. Their salvation hangs on what they think of Christ. And our lives are to display His truth and beauty. So we must care what others think of us as representative of Christ. Love demands it. But notice where the accent falls: not on our value or our excellence or our virtue or our power and wisdom. It falls on whether Christ is honored by the way people think of us. Does Christ look great because of the way we live? It matters to us whether He does." ~John Piper