Dear Parent of a COVID-19 Senior

Last October when I wrote an article to parents of seniors, I had no idea March 13 would be my son’s last day of high school, that he would finish the year alone, online, in my den, wearing…

Psalm 77: A Psalm for the Burdened

The Psalms have been the prayer book of God’s people for millennia for many reasons, but one in particular stands out to me: The Psalms give expression to every emotional frame that a human being can experience. From…

Jesus Christ is Risen Today: An Easter Meditation

You’ve had your pastel suits laid out for days; the kids have been wondering about the contents of their Easter baskets for the last two weeks. You’ve known what was coming. Though you walked solemnly and reverently through…

“Selfie Harm” and the Tree of Life

Every blemish and freckle disappeared; eyes grew wider and brighter; noses narrowed and lifted; chins sharpened; teeth whitened. Appearances drastically altered – and all in less than five minutes. This past week, news circuited regarding a new photo…

Sharing God’s Incarnational Heart

The following excerpt comes from Liz Edrington in Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry (GCYM is a Crossway publication, and is primarily authored by Rooted writers). In Living Color: On the Incarnation It is a profound wonder that God decided to…

What We Do Know About Heaven

Ever since my husband Jeff died nearly eight years ago, my sons and I have tried to picture what his life with Jesus looks like. We joke that dad must be playing golf, shooting hoops and eating the…

Three Words I Want My Students to Claim

In Isaiah 61, we read three compelling words that can lead our hearts to respond in action, passion, and maybe even some fear – restore, rebuild, and renew. This is the calling that followers of Christ are given…

The Biggest Lie from the First Presidential Debate

Deep down, I envied the thirteen-year-old who sat across the table from me. As we finished our lunches that afternoon, one of the (many) topics we had discussed was 2016’s first presidential debate, which took place only days…