I was raised in “the heart of Texas” where going to church was normal. I was in church every Sunday, often sitting near the front and eager to hear God’s Word. When I think back on that time in my life, I’m grateful — for the encouragement of my parents to...
Every twelve months at the start of a new year, we all tend to think about time — how it passes, how we spend it, and what to do with the time coming up. And so many of us live as if we have all the time in the world. We know we don’t, but we sure don’t live like it. We say...
A passage that God has used over and over again in my life is Acts 17:24-28a: “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he...
Have you ever played with Play-Dough? The first few minutes the tub is open, you’re taking deep breaths of that sweet, colorful aroma. Your fingers automatically move to twist, roll, and shape this blob of soft awesomeness. You mold your six-legged, multi-colored mythical creature and then...
Have you ever read a part of the Bible and it felt impossible to you? Let’s take Philippians 4:4-6, for example: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every...
Do you ever find yourself asking, “How exactly do I live this Christian life?” You hear so much about it, but when you try to put it all together, it starts to get confusing. So, how do we do it? Let’s begin with a little exercise. I want you to read the below paragraph and...
Last night, after several lead-up conversations with my kids, I finally dropped the “f-bomb” with them. It was time — I used the f-word and told them what it means. The flesh. My wife and I were about to go out for the evening, and my parents were coming over to watch my...
When people ask, “What is it like to be a woman pastor in an evangelical church?” I tell them straight up that I have the best job in Dallas. I have felt this way from day one — June 1, 1993 —when I was hired to serve on staff at Bent Tree. Being a Woman Pastor Although...
The map was crudely drawn with dashes that meandered across the page. They connected drawings of tall oak trees to rock outcroppings and river beds. A line of dashes followed a railroad track which bent around a hill. And there, on the other side of the hill, a large X announced the spot marked...
On any Sunday at Bent Tree, you will find both men and women boldly leading ministries side by side not because we believe in a call to social justice, gender equality, or cultural relevance, but because we want to bring heaven here. We want our church to reflect something of permanent...