By Beth Demme It was just before Thanksgiving 2002. My husband and I followed the pediatrician down the hall, our footsteps echoing off the undecorated walls and hard floors. We were inside a maternity/pediatric hospital in a small coal-mining town in southwest Russia. The doctor led us to a bright room, with a big window, three cribs, and one precious …
After The Election
The presidential election went as I expected, but not as I had hoped. It’s not helpful to rant and rave. It’s not helpful to complain about the results. 59 million people voted for each candidate. It would be wrong to dismiss either batch of 59. That means I will not call names or point out the reasons I did not vote …
Do You Need an Election Sabbath?
Do you need an election Sabbath? By Beth Demme As we near the end of the 2016 Presidential Election, I long for the peace that passes understanding. I need to experience God afresh. I need a Sabbath. Sabbath is a weekly practice, but it is also one we can specifically turn to in a time of need. For me, this …
Why You Should Let Your Light Shine
Let Your Light Shine By Beth Demme The Bajan choir was dressed colorfully as they serenaded us that Sunday morning. Their simple outfits instantly brought even more cheer to an already happy room as they sang “This Little Light of Mine.” Even though this song is usually reserved for children, adults happily sang along, too. The choir director spoke as …
Wrestling With God
Wrestling With God By Beth Demme Sometimes I hold on too tightly to God. To be more precise, I hold on too tightly to my ideas about God. I unintentionally put God in a box. You probably know the story of Jacob wrestling with God. I love how Jacob’s story gives us permission to “wrestle” with God. It’s a poignant …
In This Election, God Is On My Side
By Beth Demme After three debates, a handful of scandals, and some terrific SNL skits, I feel a little flummoxed by this year’s presidential election. It’s not that I am an undecided voter, I have decided. On the off-chance you’re interested, it was basically a 5-step decision-making process for me: Decide “not Trump.” That was easy for me. I made …
The Best Hug Ever
The Best Hug Ever By Beth Demme There’s something you should know about me. I’m a hugger. I love to hug my children and my husband, but my hugging doesn’t stop there. If we’re friends and I see you at my child’s school, on the soccer fields, or in the grocery story, I’m likely to hug you. On Sunday morning, …
In Your Life There is More to Come
By Beth Demme We have a tradition in our family, our own catchphrase. In our home videos we never say, “The End.” Instead, we always say “More to Come.” I don’t remember when it started, but it’s now ingrained in all of us. In fact, when the kids want me to stop-it-already-with-the-video they’ll smile and, sort of sarcastically, say “more to come, mommmmmm.” That’s …
Jesus Is The Worst Mystery Ever
Jesus Is The Worst Mystery Ever By Beth Demme Sometimes words come out of my mouth, and I’m astounded at how awful they sound. It’s even more shocking when I then repeat those words. “Jesus is like, um, the worst mystery ever,” I said to a room full of Christians. “Yep, Jesus is no good at being a mystery,” I then …
A Biased Review of Finding God in the Waves
A Biased Review of Finding God in the Waves By Beth Demme Mike McHargue’s debut book, Finding God in the Waves, was released on September 13, 2016. This is the story of how one man lost his faith, and found it again, through science. Mike went from Southern Baptist to Atheist to Unspecified to Methodist. I want you to read his book. …