Devotionals
Walking With a Rabbi
“Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.” Mark 4:10 (NLT)
This past winter, I found myself walking the streets of northern Italy for 17 days with a group of women from my seminary class. It was an intensive class on women in the early Church and the arts, pondering their lives and documenting evidence of their church leadership.
Lies Women Are Told
“For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged.” — 1 Corinthians 14:31 (NRSV)
If you've been following along with my work for the past year or so, you know that I am studying Women and Theology at Northern Seminary. I've spent countless hours studying Scripture, reading commentaries, and researching the time and culture of the early Church and Jewish law. In this time, God has revealed so many things that I was falsely taught—even with good, God-honoring intentions—about a woman's calling to ministry or leadership and a woman's role as a wife.
Discerning Truth from Lies
“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.” – 1 John 2:24-25 NLT
A few years back, I had my students do a scavenger hunt for Youth Night. They all went off exploring in teams. Eventually, one of the boys came to me and another youth leader, and told me about a group that told him he was special.
Still Wanted and Welcomed
“And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” — Luke 15:23-24 (NLT)
Is it just me, or does anybody else talk to themselves? I do this all the time. I role-play what I think I would say if I had the opportunity. I talk through conversations with family members, friends, colleagues, and random strangers.
Usually, I’m talking under my breath in private, maybe in the mirror in the bathroom. I need this time to process my thoughts and my feelings because it helps me be prepared and attempt to be wise in how I communicate in my relationships.
We Rise and Fall Together
“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.” — Luke 18:9 (NRSV)
If you've heard me preach before, you'll likely know that I grew up with three brothers. And because my mom didn't always like us playing with the kids in our neighborhood, sometimes we had to be our own, complete community. We were the Wilsons.
My brothers are my day ones, my aces, and standing arm in arm with them is still my happy and safe space. I feel invincible when I stand with my brothers. It is pure, and never-ending love.
Bathsheba and David: A Hard Look at the Abuse of Power
“David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, ‘This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’” – 2 Samuel 11:3 (NRSV)
What are women to do when they are not safe, even in their own homes? Bathsheba should have been safe. She should have been protected. In all the sermons I have heard about David and Bathsheba, I never understood the weight of the messenger reporting who she was when David asked of her. My only takeaway was that she was clearly married and, therefore, off-limits. Really, that should have been enough.
Reviving Discipleship
“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” — Hosea 6:6 (NLT)
The mission of Jesus was always about people, not programs. Those who know me personally know that I am deeply passionate about discipleship. It’s so much more than a class you might take. Being a student of and following Jesus is a way of life. It infiltrates the very fabric of your soul.
Missed Exits: Turning Up the Voice of God
“And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” — Isaiah 30:21 (NRSVA)
Last summer, a colleague picked me up from the airport to take me to a conference. We had a long stretch of highway to drive, with Google Maps ready to lead the way to the conference location.
We laughed and talked as we rolled down the road … Then something didn’t look quite right.