Tag: Spiritual Formation
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When the Vapor Clears: Learning to Live From What Lasts
“We spend way too much time worrying about things that are fleeting — vapor — that in the grand scheme of eternity mean nothing.” Christine Caine Read that statement again. It’s true, isn’t it? Someone says something that hurts your feelings? Vapor. You don’t get the job or promotion you wanted? Vapor. It rains during… Read more
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Formed by Praise: The Slow Work of Becoming Steady in God
“I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11, NIV This is not just a statement of emotion. It’s a formed response. The kind of declaration that only grows in a heart God has been shaping over time. And it’s an important affirmation because the sons of Korah repeat it at the… Read more
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When Your Words Become Worship: The Christian Writer’s Calling
Most Christian writers don’t wake up one morning with a trumpet blast of certainty. There’s rarely a dramatic moment where God parts the clouds and hands you a pen. More often, the calling to write comes quietly — like a steady tug on the heart, a persistent idea that refuses to leave, or a sense… Read more
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When Words Mean More Than We Intended
Some mornings begin with quiet reflection, but others begin with conversations that stay with you long after the day gets moving. My daughter and I found ourselves talking about the power of words — how they can land softly or sharply, how they can heal or harm, and how often the impact has less to… Read more
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Trust, Salmon Patties, and the Mystery of Manna
Last night I made salmon patties for dinner. Nothing fancy — just a simple, tasty meal. But when I set the plate on the table, both my girls paused. They leaned in, suspicious and curious, and asked the same question Israel once asked in the wilderness when they first saw manna from heaven: “What is… Read more
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Christian Writing as a Practice of Paying Attention
Takeaway: Christian writing begins with attention — noticing God, noticing people, and noticing the quiet places where the Spirit is already moving. Everything else grows from there. There’s a quiet truth I keep returning to as I grow as a Christian writer. It’s something I learned from my grandfather, who used to sit on a… Read more
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Yahweh Is King Over All: A July 4th Reflection
Every year on July 4th, our feeds fill with reflections on freedom — political freedom, national freedom, personal freedom, and the freedom we have in Christ. All of those are good and worth celebrating. But a few days ago, as I sat with Psalm 47, I was reminded of something deeper, older, and more unshakable… Read more
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Slow to Anger: God’s Long Nose of Mercy
Joel 2:12–13 (NIV) is a call to repentance that pulses with urgency and tenderness: “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and… Read more
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What It Means to Be a Christian Writer Today
There has never been a more complicated, noisy, opportunity-filled time to be a Christian writer. We live in an age of endless content, instant publishing, algorithm-driven visibility, and a constant pressure to produce. And yet, for Christians who feel called to write — whether fiction, nonfiction, poetry, devotionals, essays, or anything in between — the… Read more
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When Creativity Feels Small: Why the Quiet Work Still Matters
Some days, creativity feels like a roaring river. Ideas rush and words tumble. Colors and concepts spark faster than you can catch them. And then there are the other days. The slow and quiet days. The nothing-is-happening-and-I’m-not-sure-I-have-anything-left days. If you’ve lived a creative life for more than five minutes, you’ve met both types. But here’s… Read more