Blog
A Legacy of Faith
As I thought of what to share about passing on a legacy of faith, my thoughts turned to the individuals who had the greatest impact on my faith. Certainly, it was my parents, my older sister, Sunday School teachers, and even Christian college professors. But in recent years, as I have gotten older, my thoughts have turned to my maternal grandmother and how her spiritual life shaped mine.My grandmother, Mari Megyesi, came to America from Hungary in the early 1900s as a very young bride
Living the Sacred within the Secular
Ever wonder about the “how” of sharing your faith? Is it a personality characteristic, a spiritual gift, an imperative? Have you wondered whether it is safe to share the gospel or even to mention that you’re a Christ follower in this age of Christian nationalism, post-millennialism, and extremism? How to fulfill that mission – living the sacred within the secular?
Enter Light
I’m sure it will come as no shock to anyone who knows me that I’m not a big fan of Metallica. But I am a HUGE fan of Virginia Tech. And when we started following Virginia Tech sports this year, we found out that before every home football and basketball game, they play the Metallica song Enter Sandman over the huge sound system. Even if heavy metal isn’t your thing, there is something truly fearsome about ...
Boot Prints: When Is It OK to Let Others Tramp into Your Life?
But what about people who come tramping into your life, leaving their muddy boot prints all over your business? Don’t they understand you have enough to deal with already? Why should you ...
Is This It? Is This All There Is to the Christian Life?
“Is this it?” I still remember asking this question of my Bible study leader and mentor one day during my college years. I was having daily time with the Lord: reading His word and praying. I attended church regularly and was involved in Bible study. I wasn’t hiding any habitual sins. My relationship with the Lord was genuine, even close and warm. But in a way I couldn’t quite put into words, I felt as if I had arrived where God wanted me … and the thought of continuing on for another … 10? … 20? … 50? years the same way in my relationship with the Lord seemed a little lackluster.
A Focused Resolve
What focused resolve on the part of both the mamma and her ducklings. They had to see the cars careening towards them, yet they walked on undaunted, focused on their goal, never wavering.If only I could do the same, focus on the goal with steadfast resolve, not looking left or right but persevering on in the knowledge that my Lord is faithful...
Climbing Higher
I never knew one could get so attached to a robot. I will never forget the first time I saw Willard pull himself up to the first bar, then extend his mechanisms to climb up to the next, and finally make it to the highest bar, where he swung impressively … then crashed nearly seven feet to the ground. I was so devastated that I turned off the stream.
Banishing "But"
Climbing out of a crevasse isn’t easy. It requires constant focus on Him, using the hand-holds found in His Word, and choosing to trust and believe that those hand-holds – His promises – are firm and true.
Play Your Drum Solo
When it comes to bringing gifts to Jesus, I'm pretty sure we're all that drummer boy. I mean, think about it. Do we really think He needs anything from us? That we're ever going to surprise Him with that perfect burst-of-brilliance gift?
Settling the Heart
Fear is bondage. When we fear, we’re bowing to the idea that what we f.e.a.r. has more power than the Creator of the universe. That is a lie out of the pit of hell. Just as we want our children to live without fear, our loving Father wants us to live in peace, resting in Him, knowing in the very deepest part of our heart and mind that “He’s got this.”
Find Your New Favorite Book
One of the great joys of this ministry is the opportunity to share the resources created by the women associated with by design. This fall, we have the honor of sharing some relevant and important books authored by these brilliant and godly women. We hope that you enjoy perusing the list and that you'll choose one or two to pick up as your fall reading. Enjoy!
The High Privilege of Knowing Gail MacDonald
As a young wife new to ministry and to life in New England, I was as green as the stalks of corn ripening back home in my family’s Illinois fields. I felt ill-prepared for life in the parsonage. Titus 2:3-5 instructs older women to teach younger ones. Where was the one who would “Titus” me?
Sharing and Seeing by the Spirit
I feel very blessed to have many women in my life who have walked alongside me in my faith throughout the years. Women like my mom, my worship team “aunties,” Sunday school teachers, mentors in college, and mentors in my current ministry organization (informally or formally) have encouraged me and loved me in highs and lows. In this current season, I am especially thankful for Sam.
Barbara Arbo: The Woman of the Word (and Lots of Patience)
I did not know about dresses. Come to think of it, I’m not sure I wore a bra. And my memories of basic hygiene are vague. There stood before me a tall blond woman, her blue eyes lit with a joy I was still unfamiliar with. She was stunning! Her dress matched her earrings, both swirling in rich turquoise and fuchsia. And she wore lipstick. I wore an old T-shirt that smelled like yesterday’s ashtray...
Bloom Where You're Planted
These women shared a common thread that greatly impacted my own personal spiritual growth, in each one I saw a faithful acceptance of where God had led them each to be. And in that acceptance, they had grown hearts that longed to lift others up to their heavenly father.
Keep Looking Up
In 1975, Miss Coughlin assigned the new girl to the seat right next to mine. Lenore was introduced to the 5th grade students, and before homeroom ended, the teacher asked me to show her the way to the girls’ bathroom. From that day, we were drawn together as best friends in every way – except one:
My Angel Mama
I like to say we met on a wing and a prayer. Unlike the implication of this old adage, however, our friendship was blessed from the beginning.More than three and a half decades my senior, this angel on earth was our pastor’s wife, but I didn’t first meet her in church.
Barriers and Resources
When we think of investing in the lives of others as God has commanded us, so many barriers can quickly pop into our minds! Perhaps the common phrases “full,” “not much margin,” or “tired” come to mind. Sadly, I must admit: I have used these terms more than once lately to describe my own life. Or maybe it’s not the resource of time that you feel is in short supply; perhaps you feel that you don’t have much emotional margin due to difficulties in your own life … perhaps you feel like you aren’t a great “people person” ... maybe finances are tight. Whether you feel in short supply in the area of time, finances, emotional margin, energy, or people skills, listen up: I have a word of encouragement for you!
Being Discipled
When I first met Barbara back in March of 2021, I was going through a particularly challenging time in my life. I had been dealing with a severe health issue for the past nine months, with no answers from doctors and no healing in sight. I had reached out to Barbara for help and guidance. Not only was my health struggling but my marriage was suffering. I found out