4 Ways to Fight Lies

I have a hard time believing people value my presence. I tell myself things like, “Nobody wants to hang out with me” or “I didn’t get invited on their trip — they must not like me.” These are lies. At the very least, they are half-truths. It’s possible that some people don’t want to hang

When Best-Laid Plans Don’t Go As Planned

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” — Psalm 32:8-9 About four years ago I decided I needed to

4 Ways to Declutter Your Life

I recently learned two fascinating statistics about clutter: First, decluttering your spaces would eliminate 40 percent of your housework. Second, the average person spends between one and 10 minutes a day looking for lost items amid their clutter. That’s six and a half months of your life! If removing clutter results in more time and

Your Career as a Missionary Starts Now

I recently had the chance to do a six-month missions program in Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) with an organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). While it was considered a “short-term” trip, the impact it had — and continues to have — on me is far from temporary. I saw God move in

Is “Follow Your Dreams” the Best Advice?

“Follow your dreams.” These words seem to chase Millennials around, and we embrace them by attempting to do what we’re passionate about. It’s a very different attitude compared to my parents’ generation, a group of people who worked wherever they could because they had to, prioritizing family and self-sacrifice over their dreams. Our parents see opportunities

Make the Most of Long-Distance Dating

I’ve daydreamed about going back in time and talking to my younger self. I’d probably say things like: “Don’t be such a perfectionist because you’re not perfect,” “Don’t take on so much in high school and college,” and “Don’t run in heels or you’ll break your ankle” (true story). One thing I’ve never imagined telling

How to Process the Texas Flood Tragedy

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” ~ Psalm 31:24 Words can hardly capture the devastation wrought by the recent flash floods in Texas. The heart-wrenching news has left many — myself included — wading through waves of anger, frustration and despair. Yet we need not be

What You Keep in the Dark

In our good moments and our bad, we now live out loud. A stranger posts a picture of a man helping a father with his child’s math problem on the subway, and this kindness goes viral. A customer posts a photo of a waitress cutting up food for an elderly man in a restaurant, and

Hypocrite – Boundless

The conversation started over sushi. A friend and I were eating these incredible chili rolls, and we started talking about growing up in Christian homes. Somehow we got on the topic of our bygone friends of faith, the kids we’d gone to youth group with — the ones who’d challenged us and prayed for us

I Swear I’m a Christian

A couple of weeks ago, I got caught in the middle of a debate I didn’t expect. During an interview with a potential client, the client said something that didn’t get my attention, but it caught everyone else off guard. She used choice words to explain that she puts 100 percent behind everything she does;