“Motherhood is such a perfect spiritual path”: An Interview with Catherine McNiel

One of my favorite things about Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket is that I got to feature the voices of some of my favorite people in the book. Catherine McNiel certainly fits that bill! I asked her to tell us a bit more about herself, her life, and her ministry. Tell us […]

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“There is Nothing Spiritually Neutral About Motherhood”: An Interview with Bronwyn Lea

One of my favorite things about Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket is that I got to feature the voices of some of my favorite people in the book. A handful of the Bright Ideas —nine, to be exact—were written by women whose voices I trust and whose wisdom I respect, and each […]

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My Book Baby Birth Story, Part 1

It’s release day for Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket, and to celebrate, I thought I’d tell you a little bit about its birth story. Basically, I wrote the book that I needed fifteen years ago. Somehow I had gone from being a missionary kid on the sun-drenched coast of West Africa, eagerly […]

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Don’t Hide Your Light GIVEAWAY!

Hey! Leafwood is giving away ten copies of Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket on Goodreads! Check it out here and enter for a chance to win. The giveaway ends on August 9th. (While you’re there, mark the book “to read,” or leave a review if you are one of those lucky folks […]

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Baseball, Beatitudes, and Being a Disciple.

“God is like a parent watching a little league game, beaming with pride every time his awkward little kid steps up to the plate. He’s not withholding his approval until we reach the major leagues—even when we miss the swing, God is yelling ‘Great try! Now square up and lift your elbow a little.’ Then he turns […]

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8 Easy Ways to Promote your Friend’s Book

Hey friends! Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket is releasing on August 9th, and I’m super-excited! Some of you have generously offered to help me get the word out about the book, so I thought I’d put together a list of things you can do to help. (Bonus: the advice in this list […]

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Look What I Got!

My book, Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket, is releasing in August! But this delicious box was at my house when I got back from speaking at a camp last week, and some people have been receiving their pre-ordered copies early! (You can pre-order here if you want.) Stay tuned for more information […]

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I’m a writer with dyslexia. And no, it’s not a joke.

It didn’t become a problem until second grade. Oh, it had always been there. I couldn’t figure out which hand to use, or how to hold a pencil. I read early, but I would read the same line over and over, unable to track down the page. Letters came out backwards, but I couldn’t see […]

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Free eBook! Busting the Motherhood Myth: A Mother’s Day Message for Everyone

Ah, the Mother’s Day sermon. The most feared twenty minutes of the year for pastors and female parishioners alike. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad (except when it is). Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to celebrate the women who have poured into our lives, and thank them for the day in, day out work […]

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Cover Reveal! Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket: 150 Bright Ideas for Wannabe World Changers

It’s here! It’s here! No, not the book (that won’t come out until August), but getting to share this incredible cover is nearly as fun. Not familiar with the book concept yet? Here’s the synopsis: When your world is dominated by dirty diapers, the fair distribution of animal crackers, and nightly battles over proper dental hygiene, […]

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Lay Down the Shame, and Embrace Jesus’ Sufficiency

Shame is a powerful thing that we don’t talk about a whole lot in the church. While it’s really important to be able to acknowledge and confess our sins, allowing God to deal with our shortcomings, it’s not unusual for healthy conviction to metastasize into this debilitating shame that keeps us cowering in the corner, […]

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Hosanna: Who Are You Looking To For Salvation?

Maybe you’re looking for political salvation–for a candidate who you believe could fix our country’s problems. Maybe you’re looking for relational salvation–for a magic bullet to heal broken relationships, or for prince or princess charming to come along and make you feel loved. Maybe you have Roman Empire-sized problems that you fear could destroy you […]

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A Prayer for St. Patrick’s Day

Here’s part of St. Patrick’s Breastplate, one of the most beautiful, enduring prayers of all time. Enjoy! Thanks to Kendra for designing it and making it available. Check out her blog for more beautiful printables.

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Withered Hands and Withered Hearts: Legalism and Healing on the Sabbath

  It is the people who have suffered most that we turn into scapegoats. People like the woman with the bent back of the man with the withered hand. But we all need Jesus to straighten what is bent, to loose the potential that is bound, and restore what is withered and dry. (Right click […]

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Evangelicals, Abuse, and Other Issues I Don’t Want to Think About

“Are conservative evangelical men more likely to abuse their wives?” The question was printed on a padded manila envelope, containing a book the publisher hoped I would review. Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife. I’ll admit, I was not particularly happy to receive it. “This is the sort of happy mail I get,” […]

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