When Christians have lost the plot — When my college-age son called me up one day and asked to meet for coffee, I knew something was up. It was usually code for “I need to talk to you about something important.” Sitting across from me, David told me he was being pressured to speak in tongues as…

Who are you? — Dear Holy Spirit, Some days I get really discouraged and am disappointed in you. You’re supposed to be my comforter and guide, and you promised to give me wisdom. Yet there are times when your “still small voice” is so faint that I can’t even hear it. Is it my…

Life’s hard enough — My relationship with Christianity has always been a complex one, marked by a mixture of affection and aversion that has been further complicated by my faith deconstruction. …

A better way exists — I was sitting in church with my mouth slightly agape, wondering if I had heard right. It was Father’s Day, and the pastor was teaching from Ephesians 5. …

Telling mom’s stories before they are gone — In 1940 when I was 5 and in first grade, we had an Iowa snowstorm by which I judge all other snowstorms. On November 11, 1940, the morning was quiet but unseasonably warm. Rather than ride the bus that morning, Mom drove Luetta, my sister, and me to town to…

What is the qualification? — Being the child of Baptist missionaries, I was assured that the day I “accepted Jesus into my heart,” I would never lose my salvation, no matter what. Once, though, I had a brief scare when I heard there was another branch of Christianity that believed you could lose your salvation…

There are times in life when all you need is a fresh start — Take a look at this photo. It’s beautiful, yes? These mountains have inspired poets and artists and brought forth song from the lips of those admiring its beauty. But for me, all it reminds me of is failure. Failure to make my dreams come true. Failure to bring meaning to…

Does the destruction fit the crime? — Some years ago, I was sitting on a back patio with my husband’s family and in a really good mood. I was laughing and making jokes, the most relaxed I’d been with them. Usually, I was quiet because they had a habit of throwing barbs my way. …

I knew you before you were famous — Dear Pastor John Piper, When I think of men and women whose lives are inspiring, one thread that remains a constant is their growth, change, and how they replace old, harmful beliefs with new life-giving ones. As any parent knows, if their kids’ faith remains the same, they become concerned…