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 […]

God is my Defense, pt 2

In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Prov. 14:26-27 I’ve been thinking quite a bit about this concept since my last blog post. It really spills over […]

God is my Defense.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on [Jesus] the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before […]

Quarter of a Century

Happy 25th birthday to me! How crazy is that? Sometimes when I get asked how old I am, I have to stop and think because in my head apparently I’m still 22 or thereabouts. When my husband turned 25 back in October, he wrote 25 things he had learned in his 25 years of life. […]

An Open Letter to the Girl I Can’t Help

Dear friend, I’ve known you for a long time. Years ago when we first met, you seemed so young. You were so full of life and so excited to learn new things and make new friends. Excited to become my friend. I didn’t realize back then how much you looked up to me. I […]

In the Dark Moments

It’s just been one of those days. Well, it started last night. I was getting ready for bed, doing my usual nighttime routine; and as I washed my face, it just hit me in the gut. That sudden nagging feeling of sadness, almost loneliness, for no reason. This morning was fine, but then it just […]

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 […]

What Are You Saying From Your Platform?

It’s interesting to me that social media is called a “platform.” I’ve been wondering recently what I communicate from my platform. My most recent blog post was about my husband and I becoming minimalists. I’ve posted on Facebook about being a Big Sister for a ministry called Delight & Be. On Instagram, I am a […]

“Check your heart!”

How many of y’all have seen the video on Facebook by Christian comedian John Crist where he says “Check your heart” in response to everything? It cracked me up because I do hear Christians say it quite often, usually in a joking way. But after my Bible reading yesterday, I think I–and all of us–need […]

Being Told “No.”

“And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and […]

Discernment for the Believer

Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 Law. Grace. Legalism. Liberalism. Churches today seem to enjoy being on one side of the spectrum or the other. Either they have a list of rules as long as the […]

when you’re not supposed to build the temple

I’ve been learning recently that even if I want something, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s what God wants. It is so easy to wish for different opportunities and miss the ones God has already given me. I’m really good at explaining it away too: explaining why I/we would be so good at whatever it is […]

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 […]

good tidings of great joy.

Christmas is without a doubt my favorite time of the year. I was already listening to Christmas music and making gift-lists the second week of November; but as soon as Thanksgiving was over *BAM* full Christmas mode! I am all about the festive lights, Christmas music everywhere you go, tacky sweaters, and finding the perfect […]