What comes to your mind when you first think of this word? Perhaps it is a mob of protestors raising signs? Maybe you think of Twitter trolls, or religious fanaticism? Another alternative is to attribute zeal to those with great drive; these are the people with a "get up and go!" mentality. They are the … Continue reading Zealous
Yearning
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you felt ill? Have you hoped for an event to occur or awaited the outcome of a decision that you literally ached for your desire to become a reality? The Cambridge Dictionary defines this feeling in this way: A strong feeling of wishing for something, especially something … Continue reading Yearning
Xenophobia
Fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign.-Mirriam-Webster Dictionary Stranger Things We are intrigued by, curious about, and scared of things and people that are strange or foreign to us. Unfortunately, awareness of potential danger has made so much of our world reclusive and isolated. I was in … Continue reading Xenophobia
Will
"Whatever God may will""Where there is a will, there is a way." "I will order a pizza soon." As I've become acutely aware in my Greek classes, there is a term known as semantic range. This is in reference to the variety of definitions possible for one word. Sometimes, the word may mean something different due to … Continue reading Will
Valued
How many likes did you get on your last post? How many people complemented your last work? How many followers/friends do you have? What is your net worth? Are you more or less interesting than others? Our culture is obsessed with meaning, with value, and with worth. We want to know that what we are … Continue reading Valued
Unformed
"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:16 My siblings-in-law just had their first baby! The baby's name is Isaiah and he was born the day we arrived in Florida for … Continue reading Unformed
Theology
I am currently enrolled as a student at a theological seminary. Theology is what I study, but it is also the lens through which I interpret everything going on around me. You too have theological lenses, here are a few things to inform you and encourage you in...
Sovereign
"What is Calvinism?" I asked earnestly, and nervously, after gathering a large amount of courage to enter into uncharted theological waters with my pastor and several church staff members. I was at a youth event at Dave & Busters. While my friends were running around racing cars, spending tokens, and earning tickets, my 15 year-old … Continue reading Sovereign
Blessed
A great confusion exists concerning the idea of what constitutes a blessing. People use the word "blessing" for many things: It could be a the last piece of leftover pizza, a simple complement, a new car, job, or relationship. It could be someone saved from a storm, given a raise, or a great birthday gift... … Continue reading Blessed
Called to Words 