Faithful Paradox

faithful [ feyth-fuhl ] – steady in allegiance or affection; loyal — paradox. /ˈpær·əˌdɑks/ –  a statement or situation that may be true but seems impossible or difficult to understand

May we learn to be faithful to Jesus, even as we wrestle with the paradox of faith.

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  • The Tension of Discipleship in Disappointment

    I had a friend who was struggling with faith. Her experience with God had left her feeling disappointed and discouraged. He had not been who she wanted him to be; had not shown up in the ways she had hoped. She was struggling with spiritual disciplines and practices, lacking the desire to even try. She Continue reading

  • The Painful Parts of Prayer

    When Ezra was sick, one of his doctors was a believer. I remember talking with him one day and he shared that it was difficult for him to pray for healing for his patients. He said he could easily pray that God would be near. He could pray that God would sustain. But having faith Continue reading

  • He Is Still Good

    I had the opportunity to sit down with Heather at the Thanks for Doing That Podcast to talk about holding grief with hopeful lament. If you’d like to listen, you can find it on your favorite listening platform or click here or here. Continue reading

  • Fruit Takes Time

    We planted a peach tree at the back of our yard years ago. I bought it at the end of the growing season one year. It was a tiny stick in a pot of dirt; maybe 6 inches tall with a couple of measly shoots (even sadder than Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree). I knew its Continue reading

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  • Five Lessons In Loss

    We went out to dinner the Friday before Christmas in order to celebrate. My boys had just finished another semester of school. They endured finals and persevered through them. One of my boys made some significant strides in personal discipline and fortitude. It was Advent. Christmas was days away. Despite the sorrow that still walks Continue reading

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  • The Long Walk Home

    “And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. “(Luke 8:40-42). Jairus had one last hope. If he could get to Jesus in time, maybe Continue reading

  • The Soul’s Worth

    It’s interesting to me when the Spirit decides to show me clarity. Maybe it was the man standing next to me who loudly announced that Away in a Manger was from the children’s fairy tale book he has. It stirred both sadness and awareness about his lost state alongside gratitude that the Lord has opened Continue reading

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  • When God’s Plans Leave Us Distressed

    “When the feast was ended and they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know” (Luke 2:43). Jesus’ family traveled on for the entire day and did not notice he was missing from their group. Whether it was that they were traveling in a caravan or each parent assumed Continue reading

  • The Paradox of Healing

    I can’t remember if Ezra liked Thanksgiving. While it doesn’t seem very significant, it made me cry several times last week. I know he loved to be with people. He loved food (he was the one who cleaned off his younger brothers’ plates if they didn’t finish their meals), so I imagine it’s safe to Continue reading

  • Rebuilding Faith Muscles

    I recently began reading the Gospel of Luke. I often read it as we prepare to step into the Advent season. If I’m honest though, I’m also reading it because I’m in a season right now where I need to be reminded once again of who Jesus truly is. I recently had a friend tell Continue reading