One Sunday afternoon as my church family ministered to the homeless of Colorado Springs I was looking over the faces of the crowd and noticed her. She sat off to the side, alone. Her expression heavy and hardened. She avoided eye contact with everyone, never lifting her gaze. She refused to approach the folks handing out... Continue Reading →
Crown of Creation
I can see it living there behind your eyes. I can see it’s eating you alive. You’re hiding your heart, hiding yourself, waiting to be rescued. You’re masking the lies, carving the pain, keeping it all hidden. Look at yourself. What do you see? Only painful memories. Where is the hope? Where is the love?... Continue Reading →
You Can’t Please Everyone: Confessions of a Lifelong People Pleaser
I have been a people pleaser for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until recently I realized how deeply ingrained this trait is in my life. My family relocated to the east coast for my husband's job and we've been searching for a new place of worship. During this search I found myself trying to convince... Continue Reading →
Waiting
Tears flow down They fall like the rain There's no end to my sorrow and pain Too many nights I'm crying for You There's just nothing left for me to do I'm reaching out I just need a touch from You Hope breaks through the cracks in the wall I've built around my bleeding heart Starting to see... Continue Reading →
How Healthy Social Media Habits Can Strengthen Your Youth Ministry
Cliché notwithstanding, social media in all its forms is the ultimate double-edged sword. One edge blessing and one edge cursing. Whether we like it or not, it is here to stay, and it’s growing, so the trick is to embrace the blessing. When it comes to youth ministry, embracing the blessing is not always an easy... Continue Reading →
Living Outside the Shadows
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years. I’ve often wondered why it took them forty years to get to the Promised Land. Was Moses lost? Were they too afraid? Were they just too comfortable living in the wilderness? Perhaps some part of them wanted to go back to Egypt. At one point “All... Continue Reading →
The Time is Now
"I'm a 15th generation practicing pagan, and proud of it." Her southern accent was thick as molasses. Her words dripped off her tongue like honey off the comb. Her box-blonde hair was fashioned in a bushy updo, and her makeup was as flashy and vibrant as her personality. She stood over us with one hand... Continue Reading →
The Day I Died
Several years ago my husband, Chris, and I were told we would never have biological children. That's a long story....(a future blog entry) Then we were blessed by foster care, adopted our son, Nathan; my miracle boy. We had a foster daughter, Raechell, and her son, Izaiah, whom we love completely. And then we found out I was pregnant... Continue Reading →
Confessions of an Overstressed, Manic, Slightly Deranged Mother
Perhaps I'm alone in this feeling; so overwhelmed by all of life's pressures that have gradually stacked up, one right on top of the other, that I begin to crack a little. Each situation more confounding than the last, the load becomes unbearable and I feel like I'll burst at the seams. I suspect I'm... Continue Reading →
Celebrating the Small Things
"Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things."- Frank A. Clark My husband and I started dating 16 years ago today! Some couples don't celebrate this day, but we have it down to the time. Our first date immediately followed the Olivet Nazarene University Homecoming football... Continue Reading →
SELENA BOYTS 