The Control/Anxiety Connection

The Control/Anxiety Connection

*Excerpt from Beyond Our Control: Let Go of Unmet Expectations, Overcome Anxiety, and Discover Intimacy with God by Lauren and Michael McAfee

Psychologist Dr. John Townsend is a family friend, and he once explained to me that the negative emotion often most closely associated with the concept of control, or a lack of it, is anxiety. The control/anxiety correlation rang true. The growing illusion that we have more control of our lives than previous generations seems to be leading us to a place of greater anxiety, not less. 

What Should I Do When I Don't Like Council Road?

What Should I Do When I Don't Like Council Road?

As many of you readers know, I am currently living overseas. I’m still a member of Council Road and consider myself deeply connected to her. This has many advantages as well as disadvantages. Being so far away has given me a privilege I did not expect—the privilege of hearing what people really think about Council Road. I think I may have heard it all, if I’m honest. I’ve heard surface layer assessments and rants. I’ve heard deeply thought-out discontentment and frustration. I’ve heard beautifully loyal monologues. I’ve heard endearing arguments against unfaithful actions. I’ve heard rumors and lies and untruths and half-truths. I’ve heard soul-stirring testimonies and life-changing stories. All pertaining to our home church of Council Road.

Reconciling Relationships with Christ and Others

Reconciling Relationships with Christ and Others

Have you ever been the new girl somewhere? I’m not talking like in college where you are in a huge mix of others who are also new. I’m talking about when you walk into an established group with their preexisting friendships, history, and way of doing things. This can be very intimidating. Have you ever been a part of the group receiving new people? That can be awkward too. Will they like me and want to come back to our group? Who am I to go introduce myself to them like I’m someone special to know? How will they change our group dynamics? 

Community Vs Control

Community Vs Control

I couldn’t believe this was real, as I took a moment to process that I was sitting in the OKC Children’s Hospital cancer wing, trying to keep my daughter somewhat quiet while our friends circled around us to pray over Zion and her upcoming cancer removal surgery. I was terrified, but as I watched our community wrap around us, I knew that I wasn’t alone. 

Living on Mission: Revival, Renewal & Relationships

Living on Mission: Revival, Renewal & Relationships

One of the biggest blessings I received, as part of our church’s 60th birthday celebration team, was the stories we heard.  Our meetings typically began with a personal story of how the people of Council Road had impacted lives. My eyes were teary at some point in every meeting, each of us amazed at how the saints of our church have faithfully carried the torch lit by the Holy Spirit over 60 years ago. In these stories, we saw the power and purpose of the Church over and over.

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Life on Mission with Twylla

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Life on Mission with Twylla

What does a “life on mission” really look like?  We hear this phrase or one like it regularly in Christian circles. But, what does it really look like? It is different for each follower of Christ, depending on your gifts and talents, but there should be some underlying similarities that we find in scripture. I also believe a “life on mission” changes as we age, grow, and follow Christ. We all know the Great Commission, but do we live it out or just recite it with our mouths? “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20). 

Brothers and Sisters Serving Together

Brothers and Sisters Serving Together

I am a conflict avoider. I know it isn’t the wisest response in all situations, so sometimes even I have to step into a conversation I would rather not have. The picture above is a case in point.  For months, I have been dreading being one of two women on a panel addressing the topic of women in ministry. If ever there was a controversial topic in my circles, this is it. And the largest contingent in the audience I was facing? Male Southern Baptist pastors - a group not often considered the friendliest towards women in ministry and the use of all of our gifts in local churches. With them and many discouraged women in ministry in one room, I feared contention. What I encountered instead was something truly beautiful: men and women searching God’s Word and contemplating together how we could best work as brothers and sisters in the family of God.

Community Groups Are Worth the Time and Effort

Community Groups Are Worth the Time and Effort

I really love my community group, or home group as we call it. My home group is the glue that sometimes holds me together…that might sound intense or a bit dramatic, but if you knew these people and how we love big, encourage, and challenge each other, you would get it. Home groups aren’t always like that and, honestly, it hasn’t always been that way for me. Sometimes it’s more of a discipline.

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