My work in Liberia was, in many ways, ordinary. It took me halfway across the world, from a cozy cubicle to a non-air-conditioned galley. It changed my tool from a computer to an industrial dishwasher, and it shifted my view from a city skyline to the West African coastline. It wasn’t glamorous. In fact, it was deeply humbling. 

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I’ve read that our brains integrate memories with our senses, which helps explain why certain smells can trigger vivid recollections from our past. I imagine that our memories are stronger when we experience something through multiple senses. For example, seeing the ocean is beautiful, but it’s nothing compared to hearing its roar and feeling its waves. Similarly, it was a conversation about seeing (and hearing!) a cockroach that sparked a deep discussion. 

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This month, we’re exploring the question: Was Jesus a minimalist? Last week, we reflected on the parable of the rich man who valued his possessions more than God. While he was wealthy in material things, he was spiritually poor. Today, we dive into Matthew 6:19-21:

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Twenty years ago, I spent six months in Liberia aboard a hospital ship (January-June 2005). While I was only there for half of a year, it remains one of the most impactful seasons of my life. Before I went, I was considering PhD programs in Neuroscience. After returning, I attended seminary and completed a Master's degree in Christian Thought. I credit my time in Liberia with this dramatic shift in focus. 

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Americans have accumulated more clutter over the last one hundred years. In 1930, the average woman only had 36 pieces of clothes in her closet. Today, the average consumer has 120 items of clothing, but 80% go unworn according to Cladwell. 

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This month, we’re exploring the question: Was Jesus a minimalist? Specifically, we’re looking at his teachings on possessions, and today we dive into Luke 12:13-31:

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Today, I want to consider vulnerability and its intersection with courage. There is a powerful scene in the Bible at the beginning of the book of Joshua. Upon Moses’s death, Joshua was assigned the leadership of thousands of Israelites and commanded to enter the Promised Land...

For almost 20 years, I’ve wanted to write a book. And still I haven’t. Yes, I’ve pursued additional education to help me in this endeavor. I’ve added almost 10 years of work experience to enrich my writing. And I’ve honed my message and identified my audience. And yet, I still have not actually finished the book. In fact, I’ve barely started... 

In my 20s and 30s, I moved a lot. In fact, a friend jokingly told me that I had reached my quota of moves and he would no longer help with future moves. At one time, I moved from a house without...

In my early 30s, I unexpectedly lost my job. I have some hard memories from childhood about my dad's seasons of unemployment, so being unemployed as a single woman was...