As we grapple with submitting to a God who invites us to come and die, there’s another layer of fear that often scares us away from God. For generations, our definition of Christian has been overshadowed by medieval threats of …
This post originally appeared on the author’s blog at www.catherinemcniel.com. My first encounter with the local elementary school crossing guard was six years ago, the year my oldest child was in Kindergarten. In my eyes, it seemed the height of …
Read moreA Goblin Crossing Guard & the Beauty of Public School
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” John 21:16 Last week, I took care of my grandson while my son and …
Sunday night. A group of friends huddle inside their upper room, doors locked, afraid. Can you blame them? Two days ago their friend and teacher was brutally and publicly executed. No wonder they’re hiding. I doubt I’ll ever understand the…
This post originally appeared on the author’s blog at catherinemcniel.com. Like many churches, we have a Palm Sunday procession to mark the beginning of Holy Week. When I dropped my Kindergartner at her class [on Palm Sunday several years ago], …
Read moreThe Treasonous Act of Small Children Waving Branches
This is part of an ongoing series during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. To engage further in the #QuarantineSoulCare series, click here. Lenten means “springtime” in Middle English, which itself comes from the word lengthen. The sun arches back toward us, …
Read moreQuarantine Soul Care: Lent, Spring, & Doubling Back Toward Life
We posted over 100 articles in 2019 that have been read by thousands of people. We thank you for being a reader and disciple-maker alongside us. Here’s a countdown of your favorites; the most read articles in 2019. Top 5 …
Tramping through the snow, I stop for a moment. Everything around me is perfectly still. Only my footprints break the surface of the pure, white snow, and even these are behind me and out of sight. As far as my …
This article by Catherine McNiel was originally published on Awana.org. If you step into Walgreens or Target in October, one thing becomes crystal clear: we are about to be swept away in a storm of holiday decorations and candy. From …
On a hot summer afternoon, I’m at the pool, smearing sunscreen on my squirming child’s face, expertly avoiding her eyes while never taking my eyes off the other two children in the water. Let me tell you: If there’s anywhere …