Once and Again: Jesus, Our Messiah

Once and Again: Jesus, Our Messiah

The advent season is upon us, and we know in our busy bones that this means we should pause to reflect – pause the shopping, pause the planning, just pause, and be with Jesus. If you’re anything like me, this can feel like being pulled in two directions. Being still in this whirlwind of a season can feel like mixing oil and water! I find this especially true as a public school music teacher – a typical December week looks like three school concerts, three to four rehearsals, and a personal gig or two. Everybody’s busy looks different! But no matter what your busy is, when you stop to consider the season, pressing pause in a full schedule is oil and water to the soul.

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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