Jesus is Not Your BFF
I am a best friend gal. I love my best friends—my tribe of women! One of the many reasons I loved being in a sorority and on sports teams is that they gave me more time to hang out with my best friends. (And yes, I have plural best friends.)
For me, being a best friend means I will always have your back and I will love you no matter what. I will be there for you through anything, even if that means picking you up at a random dumpster after a night full of regrets. And my friends would do the same for me. My best friends inspire me, encourage me, challenge me, and make me a better person. I feel like I can tell them anything. To me, being best friends is the best!
But Jesus is not my best friend.
Becoming Generous People
It’s funny to me how Jesus can get to the heart of our true sin issues with just a couple of words. Like all InterVarsity staff, my husband and I are generous with our money, when we want to be. I give to organizations that I want to give to with joy and gladness. I give to our church because I believe in the ministry.
Don’t Be a Flake
“The kindest thing you can ever say is no.”
The first time I heard that, I laughed. I hate saying no.
So instead I say yes to everything. But when I say yes to everything, my insincere "yes" robs me of integrity. Let me explain.
Part of a Larger Story
Like a good series, the individual episodes of our lives weave together into a larger story. Writers of good television shows know where the show is going. Every episode builds towards a common story line. When a writer doesn’t have a clear road map of the where the story is going, episodes stick out because it appears that they are not building towards a common goal.
Our Relationship With Money
It’s the root of all evil. It makes the world go round. It’s why you choose certain jobs. You hate it because you never have enough; it causes you to feel inferior to those who have more. You love it because it allows you to buy stuff and experiences. It makes you feel like you’re worth something when you have it. It’s money. Everybody has a relationship with money; only those who have it are naïve enough to think it doesn’t matter.
Invited To Follow
As a southern woman, I was taught the art of perfection. I was groomed to be polished – defined by acting with grace and being well mannered. The fear of changing the status quo was communicated by the celebration of history. Southern men were asked to protect the image of our culture. Southerner's value family, faith and patriotism. We worship a romanticized past. All of this creates a perfect picture. The picture is painted with various landscapes. The core of the picture is an idealized view of how we perceive ourselves.