What is wrong with me? That was the question that plagued me for the best part of my teens and twenties. And such a question always comes with a generous flood of answers. I was lazy. I was clumsy. I wasn’t good enough. Krista Tippett once said: "We are shaped as much by the quality of the questions we are asking as by the answers we have it in us to give." I see the truth in this statement because this question, what’s wrong with me, had a devastating impact on my sense of s

Theme: Heart Questions from Mark's Gospel Episode 43 - Who can forgive sins? In Mark 2:1–12, Jesus’ healing of a paralyzed man reveals that our deepest need goes beyond what is visible. In this episode, we explore what Mark teaches us about sin, why Jesus has the authority to forgive, and how faith shapes our response to his grace. If you have ever wondered whether you can truly be forgiven, or whether you have gone too far, this episode is an invitation to discover the forg

When will I outgrow it? My susceptibility to the taunts of my old friend, impostor syndrome? I think I first heard it at primary school, when my teachers derided me because my mom could not pay my school fees. How dared I sit and learn so comfortably when I was taking advantage of the school’s generosity? The fact is, I was not comfortable. It became more acute at church camps, when girls my age swam in cute, colorful, fashionable swimsuits while they openly laughed at my chu

The most life-giving words I heard all weekend were only two words long: "Me too." This week I shared my story at the family Camp in Arizona, and it revived my soul. I was reminded of God's relentless love and constant presence throughout my life, and those two words were what so many people said to me after my sermons, again and again. I shared about the difficult relationship I had with my father, who was addicted to drugs and alcohol and got violent when intoxicated. I sha

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 Can you think of anyone who embodies peace? My friend Ellyn is that kind of person. She is soft-spoken and always has a comforting smile. She listens carefully and asks questions that help you think through your situation. But she is not passive—far from it. She travels to teach under-resourced communities about mental health, and she equips leaders to help their teams flourish. What is most

As a young girl, I loved reading, and the line I always looked forward to was: "And they lived happily ever after." But I never stopped to think about what came after the high of reciprocated love. Did Cinderella enjoy adjusting to the restrictions of palace life? Did Belle find life in an isolated castle less provincial than her hometown? I don't know. But what I do know is that eventually life slowed down. It became ordinary and predictable, for the most part. Because that

"Circumstances were not immutable, no burden so binding that it could not be dropped." These are lines from Tsitsi Dangarembga’s masterpiece, Nervous Conditions. I realized the truth of this statement today, as I stood at the border between Toronto, Canada, and New York, watching the foaming, roaring brilliance of Niagara Falls. The boats, filled with tourists in their red and blue rain ponchos, were wobbly specks of color against the white rumble, and on the edges, the walkw

Episode 1 - A conversation with Dr. Carla Sunberg To celebrate the launch of What Is Real Happiness?, I sit down with my friend Dr. Carla Sunberg for an honest conversation about joy, happiness, calling, and staying rooted in Christ. Together, we explore how our understanding of happiness changes over time, why relationships matter more than success, how God meets us in seasons of grief, and the practices that keep us grounded when life gets busy. Whether you're navigating mi

In 2022, I was asked to serve as the Regional Education Coordinator for the USA/Canada Region of the Church of the Nazarene. The request shocked me. My first reaction was not gratitude or excitement; it was disbelief. Why would the regional director think I could do this? The whole idea felt preposterous. That reaction revealed how deeply fear can shape our response to opportunity. Looking back, I understand why I reacted that way. The invitation landed like a frontal attack

I just turned 51 last month, and it seems it might be true that everything is downhill after 50. I finally went to have my hearing checked, after many complaints from my husband that I am not hearing him, and found that I have genetic hearing loss. The news was sobering. Contrary to all my denials, I’m not twenty anymore. And yet I can say with complete honesty that I am loving this season of my life. It is the boldest, most creative, stretching, and joyful time I can remembe

Sitting here in my room in Rizal, Philippines, I find myself staring at a collage of paintings on my wall. They are captivating, intriguing, and strangely familiar, strange, because the images are not realistic. The painting shows three women seated in chairs, yet they are composed of fractured colors, angles, textures, and shapes. And still, somehow, I can sense exactly what each woman is thinking and feeling. One appears joyful and content. Another seems calm, deeply reflec

Recovering the Heart of the Epistles in a World of Spiritual Wounds What image comes to mind when you think about God? Is He like Santa Claus, dressed in red, with a big bag of gifts slung over His shoulder, ready to satisfy your every whim? Or is He more like a policeman, dark uniform, baton in hand, waiting to punish you for every little mistake you make? I must admit, I always saw God more as the policeman type. It probably came from my upbringing. My parents were very str

What anchors us when the waiting is long, and the horizon feels further away than it did? A PERSONAL REFLECTION One of the biggest challenges I faced in thirty years of ministry was loneliness. My husband and I entered church leadership with full hearts. And like most leaders will tell you, it can become a profoundly lonely place. Not because people aren’t around. You are constantly surrounded by people. But when your energy is poured out toward others, when your role require

Lately, I have been praying for Wisdom. Wisdom to love and support my husband as he serves as a global church leader in complex times. Wisdom to walk alongside my young adult children as they face the challenges of adulthood. Wisdom to steward the gifts and graces God has entrusted to me, and to care for my health and well-being so I can serve faithfully for the long haul. I pray for Wisdom as I navigate the discipleship ministry I founded. And above all, I pray for Wisdom to

Not long ago, I had the privilege of preaching as a visiting speaker at a local church. As part of the message, I shared what it was like to grow up as a person of color during the apartheid era in South Africa. It is not something I speak about lightly. But it is part of my story, and part of how God has formed me. After the service, an older gentleman approached me. What began as a conversation quickly became a challenge. He raised the failures of the post-apartheid governm

Good Friday seemed to arrive quietly this year, but the weight of what it represents never does. I miss those Easter conferences in Africa, you could never be caught unprepared for all the celebrations that surrounded this holy weekend. One of my most vivid memories of pastoring in Mozambique was the Good Friday showing of the Jesus film. The crew would set up the screens in the front of the church and the congregation would pile into the church to watch the show. The church

Aching shoulders. Too many airports. A suitcase that felt heavier with every city. I had spent a month on the road, and somewhere between terminals, a quiet question cut through the noise: Is this worth it? What is the meaning of all this? It’s easy to find significance in the beautiful moments: the worship services, the deep conversations, the breathtaking places. But those moments are often hidden behind exhaustion, inconvenience, and long, unseen stretches of effort. One d

Theme: Deeply Rooted Episode 38 - From Rooted to Fruitful This episode concludes the Deeply Rooted season by exploring how Scripture meets us in every season of life and gradually transforms us into people who reflect Christ. Through the image of Psalm 1’s flourishing tree, this episode highlights the rhythm of spiritual formation—God’s Word, prayer, obedience, and the work of the Holy Spirit—and reminds us that Bible study is not merely about gaining knowledge but becoming

My husband asked me a few nights ago, as we were talking about the discipleship ministry I am starting: “I wonder why it is so important for you to make money from this? We have enough to live.” It gave me pause. Why is it so important for me to monetize this ministry? Am I drifting toward greed? Is this ambition creeping in under the banner of calling? I scrambled for answers. I told him I wanted to contribute. I wanted to have extra to uplift others. I said that when people

Episode 23 - Discerning with Confidence Discerning with Confidence invites listeners into the closing message of 1 John 5, reminding us that true spiritual confidence flows from faith in Jesus Christ and knowing we are God’s beloved children. This episode explores how discernment is not rooted in striving or perfect clarity, but in trusting God’s testimony through Jesus, living aligned with His truth, and listening to the Spirit’s guidance. As the season concludes, listene