2020: The Year of the Book-Buying Ban

At the beginning of this year, I set two very specific goals for myself. And actually met them. Both setting and meeting goals are very unlike me, so please don’t think I’m boasting. 1. Read at least 20 books before January 1st, 2021.2. Do not buy any books for myself before January 1st, 2021. Thanks […]

The Social Media Epidemic

“I release myself from the obligation or expectation to share with the world what is going on in my life.” That was what I wrote in the back of my sermon notebook a few weeks ago in the middle of the service. I had deleted Instagram off my phone the previous night, Facebook that morning […]

sometimes: a reminder

Sometimes life is hard. But sometimes, life is harder. Sometimes you make mistakes and have to go back and apologize, and hope they forgive you, no matter how much you think they won’t. But sometimes you do everything right, and they still hate you. Sometimes you recognize you did something wrong and restitution has to […]

The Mess of Ministry

I’ve been a part of ministry since I was a baby. First I was just the child of a traveling preacher, then a YPK, PK, Sunday School teacher, missionary, camp counselor, youth group leader, part-time worship leader, pianist, mentor, nursery worker, small group leader. . . and while there have been countless things I’ve learned […]

a poem: my home is a vessel

My home is a vessel and nothing more As soon as a person walks through my door I do not want them to look at my home And think that it’s empty and cold My home is a vessel and nothing more Please don’t analyze the decor I didn’t buy furniture just for the looks […]

what a year.

It sounds so cliche to say but I am shocked at how quickly the year’s end came upon us. Just like that, it is 2019. A new calendar, a new set of goals, a refreshed perspective. 2019 is full of possibilities. I am stoked for our new website launch (you can find our new site […]

There’s more to life than brunch & puppies.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. And what was I doing a few minutes ago? Being discontent. Ugh. Get ready for another episode of Brutal Honesty with Bethany. Can I stick an emoji rolling its eyes right here? Earlier this afternoon I started thinking about the house we just bought, and going over all the things we still […]

Do Just One Thing

I was taking a walk with the little guy I watch every day, and pulled my phone out to call my sister. She didn’t answer, so I tried to think of who else I could call. Then I thought, “Well, maybe I’ll listen to some music.” I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to listen […]

the best thing I’ve done in 2018

(not my photo. No copyright infringement intended.) About two weeks ago, I deleted the Facebook app from off my phone; and that one tiny act has literally changed my life. I don’t know why Facebook is such a time-waster for me. Instagram? I can hop on, scroll for a couple minutes, and hop off. […]

Impressed.

This past Sunday, Joshua and I stopped at Starbucks around 2:30 to treat ourselves to an iced mocha and iced chai latte. The plan was to get our drinks and chill inside, reading or journaling until choir practice. After I got my drink and sipped the spicy almond milk deliciousness, I mentally wrinkled my nose […]

True Feminism

(not my photo, no copyright infringement is intended) fem·i·nism 1: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes 2: organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests (merriam-webster.com) After typing the previous definitions, my goal was to have the millennials’ definition of feminism; but the several websites I’ve […]

sovereign over us

About a week and a half ago, my life got turned upside-down. More accurately, my brother’s life did. But that in turn affected me. Ricky had a massive aneurysm in his brain. He also had a stroke which left part of his brain very damaged. Last Sunday, I thought we were going to lose him. […]

How Many Loaves Do You Have?

“What is it worth?” This is a discussion my husband and I have had several times over the past few weeks. What is the Gospel worth? What are we willing to do to reach people for Christ? We both love ministry. Collectively, my husband and I have been on missions trips, worked at camps, and […]