Keeping time like God does

LauraChristianity, Expect Something Beautiful Podcast

Ugh, how often do I find myself feeling impatient with myself, my children, my husband, or anyone else who may not be keeping up with my ideals. The best days are those when I turn to God for help, when I open my hands in surrender and say, “Help me to keep time the way You do, Lord.” In these … Read More

Bible Study and Bumper Boats

LauraAll Posts, Bible Study, Christianity, Discipleship, Expect Something Beautiful Podcast, Ministry

As the school year begins, many of us church-going-folks are signing up for small groups, Sunday School classes, and Bible studies. How are you feeling about all that? Excited? Ready to dig in and learn? Or are you feeling overwhelmed? Discouraged? Maybe even disinterested? I’ve been there. If that’s how you feel, this episode of Expect Something Beautiful is *just* … Read More

Tired of serving? I sure am. Here’s what to do next. (New podcast episode!)

LauraAll Posts, Christianity, Expect Something Beautiful Podcast, Motherhood

My friend didn’t ask much. And yet, when my kids and I returned home from serving her, we were wiped out… for DAYS. I couldn’t help but wonder, why am I so weak? And why can’t I bounce back faster? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, I invite you to listen to this episode of my Expect Something Beautiful … Read More

The Art of “Ending Well” (And a new podcast episode!)

LauraAll Posts, Christianity, Faith

Oh, do I have a good laugh for you today… What began as an embarrassing moment (one I, too, can laugh about now) launched me into a season of pondering the importance of “ending well”. I share some of my thoughts – and the embarrassing moment, of course – in this week’s Expect Something Beautiful podcast episode. To hear the … Read More

How to live like “words matter”.

LauraBible Study, Christianity, Faith

Have you had a frustrating conversation lately? You know, the kind of conversation with a friend over social media, or with a sibling over the phone, or your spouse across the table in which you are both speaking English, but things are going so miserably that it’s as if you are speaking two different languages. You’re arguing over words and … Read More

Praying the Psalms Will Steady Your Emotions and Awaken Your Soul

LauraAll Posts, Christianity, Ministry

My emotions have been all over the spectrum – from highs to lows to feeling numb. Praying the Psalms has been a life-saver to me during this challenging time. The Psalms teaches us how to feel and what to do with our emotions, whether we are thinkers, feelers, stuffers, venters, whether we are steady or we are volatile. Praying the Psalms keeps my … Read More

Are you valuable without accomplishments, appointments, and activities?

LauraAll Posts, Christianity, Ministry

What do you do when your activities, appointments, and commitments suddenly disappear? In this episode of Grounded (a daily videocast by Revive Our Hearts), I share one life-changing thing that God is teaching me during this season of home quarantine. It starts like this… Imagine a father bringing his children to the playground. The kids dart off to play on … Read More