This picture might not seem like much, but it speaks volumes. You see, that is the picture of the Philippian jail. Now the stop on a tour, this cell held captive those who opposed the law of the land—or threatened to flip the law on its head.

Insert Acts 16.

Paul, Silas, and crew were walking through the local marketplace under the constant barrage from a slave girl to the tune of “these men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved” (Acts 16:17).

Patience wearing thin, Paul turned to the girl and cast out a demon (#casual). In doing so, he ruined her owner’s side business and he wasn’t too happy about it. The whole encounter landed Paul and Silas in the above pictured slammer.

And that didn’t even rain on their parade, which is one of the things I admire most about Paul. He and his team were so surrendered to the gospel—a surrender founded on a deep trust in the Father’s heart—that they could sing in prison.

The result? Powerful witness.

As they sang, their cellmates listened, the earth shook, the prison doors slung open wide, and a suicide halted. Overnight, a household was saved and baptized. Joy filled their jailer as he came to know God. Paul and Silas encouraged the family of faith and moved on to establish beachheads for the Church across Macedonia, Greece, Asia, and beyond.

Side note: A wise friend once pointed out the potential impact of the jailer’s new life. He had a whole different sphere of influence among Roman soldiers. I can’t wait to hear more about that one day.

I tell you all this in hopes of working through some of what I’m learning about gospel surrender.

To start, it doesn’t make sense because giving up your life means actually finding it.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” -Mark 8:34-35

I could give you my polished up “amen” sentiments on Jesus’ words, but that wouldn’t be real because surrender is hard and scary.

True, whole-hearted surrender could mean…

• Staying up late and getting up early
• Getting less and giving more
• Choosing conviction over comfort
• Living off the support of other people
• Giving up time with friends
• Staying home when you really want to go
• Making the conscious decision to live where it’s not “safe”
• Moving to a new country
• And the list goes on and on

This is the reality of surrender that has been staring me down. It’s caused a few ugly cries because regardless of what you see in me, I can guarantee you that too often I still want my Kingdom over God’s Kingdom. He and I are often at odds.

There’s a constant tension running through my bones, vying for my affections.

Because surrender isn’t commitment. It’s way more. I’m comfortable with commitment because it lets me call the shots on what I do when. Surrender beckons me to hand over the controls of my life to someone else. And though I know theologically God is a trustworthy, good Father who gives me bread not stones, true surrender tests if I’m living in that reality.

It’s been said before that God works through surrendered people. And what I see in scripture convinces me that’s true. Jesus is right. When we lose our lives for Him, we find something better—a true treasure worth our all.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. -Matthew 13:44

And I think that’s what I see most in the empty ruins of a Philippian jail cell. Stories led by the Spirit of Jesus and legacies that have inspired millions, maybe billions, to find joy in bearing their own cross—a spiritual dichotomy that only somewhat makes sense because it’s been modeled by our own Savior’s surrender.

Stories like this are still being written in your home, across the street, and around the world. Through the surrendered, slaves are set free, captors become family, and real joy is found and passed on.

“May we claim more than just Your name
May we be Yours
May we trust more”

Of the Land

I like the outdoors.

I like to sweat and lift a lot.

I like to win at all the games.

I have a lot of opinions and like to voice them too.

I’m 5’11” and still wear 4-inch heels. In doing so, I’m not trying to overpower you. I genuinely like them and they make me feel like a lady.

I’m okay with going days without showering, especially if there’s a good reason for it. You’ll catch me all dolled up one day and makeup-less covering my 4-day-old hair with a hat the next.

I don’t like to cry in public and stuff my emotions so that you don’t see my weaknesses. And I’m working on that because there’s beauty in tenderness and that’s in me big time, I just don’t like to show it.

I’ve been approached by an acquaintance and asked if I’m an athlete. Yes, I am. His response, “I can tell. You have alpha in you and are willing and ready to take charge if needed.”

He’s right. And a lot of times I fear that is pretty off-putting because I don’t match the make on a magazine. But then I remember my Bible doesn’t have pictures.

I don’t know what the women I admire most in Scripture look like, and that’s a good thing because what makes me want to meet them most is their zeal, boldness, drive, leadership, sacrifice, and passion for the things of God.

I admire women like Deborah who led a nation, and Jael who took out Israel’s enemy with a tent peg and hammer (Judges 4:1-24).

And Mary, mother of Jesus, who intimately witnessed God’s redemption plan unfold and stopped to take note (Luke 2:19).

I like the other Mary too. She followed Jesus with the rest of the first disciples and disregarded her household duties because she was welcomed to sit and glean at His feet (Luke 10:38-42).

My favorite lady may be Lydia—the first European convert—who opened her home and served as a catalyst for a movement that spanned from Philippi and beyond (Acts 16:11-15). Lydia and the church in her town supported Paul and his traveling missionary band throughout their journeys to see the gospel spread to new places (Philippians 1:3-6).

And there’s Priscilla who partnered with her husband, Aquila, to make tents, follow Paul on mission, disciple Apollos before sending him off to Greece, and serve the church in their Roman home (Acts 18:1-28, Romans 16:3).

Have you heard of Phoebe? She was a deaconess of the church in Cenchreae and didn’t usurp power to gain the position. Deacons were appointed to this serving role (Acts 6:1-7). She was chosen and entrusted to deliver Paul’s letter to the church in Rome (Romans 16:1-2).

When I grow up, I want to be like them. And maybe you’re a woman reading this and you do too.

Ladies, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably backed down.

Maybe it’s because your single and don’t want to be and fear being too intimidating if you actually pursue all the things God has laid on your heart. Maybe it’s because you’re afraid to step on toes because when you’re a woman gifted in leadership a different “b” word that isn’t “brave” is used to describe you. Or maybe it’s because you’ve been told to sit down, be quiet and look pretty.

Some of you reading this may bring up 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. I’ve read it and I’m 27 with a lot to learn and don’t fully know what to do with it. But I do know that in context the church in Corinth was a hot mess and its meetings were divisive. God cares a lot about unity among His people (see Jesus’ prayer in John 17). Prophesies and tongues were flying left and right and women weren’t submitting to their husbands (a big no, no based on Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18). So they did need to sit down and shut up. I’m okay with that.

But I’m afraid that maybe we’ve used a couple verses to make women feel second-fiddle in the Kingdom all the while knowing that the Great Commission isn’t gender specific. It’s also not for the most educated theologians in the land. It’s for all believers everywhere at all times.

Women get to be a part of building God’s Kingdom too. And ladies, you represent over half the church, so that means the lost world desperately needs you to live boldly in tandem with other believers to get the gospel out.

God sees you, gifts you, and empowers you for the work of making His glorious gospel known from the east to the west. What a privilege it is to be His daughter and messenger of His grace!

In the words of one of my childhood country music faves, “Let’s go, girls.” What are your gifts and where can you use them to start growing the Church?

This is a fictional retelling of a true story. Click here to read the original text.
 
We’d been bashed by the sea for nine hours, and all 12 of us had left most of our last meal in the water. Our vision was limited by the night sky, but streaks of light from the heavens collided with earth for miles, declaring the storm’s end was nowhere in sight.
 
To make matters worse, our Leader sent us off without Him. We were now miles from shore with no plan of meeting back up with Him. I held onto the splintering wood for dear life and thought about how our boat seemed more like a floating tomb than fishing vessel.
 
I stared through sheets of rain in complete despair. That’s when I saw it—or Him.
 
I blinked to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. I wasn’t. Something—or Someone—gravitated toward us on the water. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
 
“It’s a ghost!” erupted simultaneously from the other brothers—James and John. In an instant, their claim was confronted by a familiar Voice, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
 
Could it be? I squinted for a better look. I recognized that browned skin and wild hair. Jesus. Before thinking, I cried out, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to You on the water.”
 
“Come.”
 
That familiar lure overwhelmed me just like the moment we’d met. He’d said, “Come, follow me” then, and here He was again, using that same simple invitation to call me out of the comforts of the possible.
 
I just had to be near Him.
 
The storm around me was a minute detail as one leg followed the other and dangled over the boat’s edge. A moment later I left its illusion of safety and stood up with my eyes locked and level with Jesus. As the world raged around us, we stood on the stirring water as if it were as solid as the ground we dined on just hours before. I began to move toward Him.
 
One step. Two steps. Then steps three and four. I wasn’t just standing on water; I was walking on it.
 
I looked back at the 11 whose wide eyes gawked at the sight of the impossible playing out before them. That’s when the rain and the wind and the waves came back into view and panic overtook me.
 
Their eyes declared what I knew to be true—I shouldn’t be upright out here. It didn’t make sense. I was breaking all laws of nature.

And then I wasn’t.
 
I sank and the waves fought to take me under for good. Arms flailing and gasping for air, I was helpless and surely at my end. The waves broke and I used all my strength to shout, hoping my cries rang out above the pounding rain.
 
“Save me!”
 
And there His hand was—firm and calloused from years’ worth of carpentry. An offer of salvation from an unexpected place paired with a compassionate challenge, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
 
It’s then that I remembered the character of the One who called me to walk on water.
 
I’d seen His kindness heal the sick, refute the Pharisee and feed the hungry. Foolish me. I should have known to trust Him when He called me to defy the wind and waves.
 
As we hoisted ourselves back into the boat’s grasp, the storm stopped in submission to Jesus. Seemingly in tandem, pastel bursts of pinks and purples accompanied the morning sun’s march over the eastern hills … casting a reflection of celebratory colors across the now glassy waters.
 
We'd witnessed lepers cleansed, meals multiplied and now this. Even the forces of nature danced according to His command, and it was time we did too. The 12 of us fell to our knees in worship.

Jesus was who He claimed to be—the very Son of God. And I wouldn’t doubt Him again … or so I thought.

Before reading this, I’d encourage you to read the true story from Acts 17-19.

It was a normal day in the port city. Except it wasn’t.

Shouts erupted from the theater. “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” I headed that way. It was packed, so I pushed my way to one of the last high seats. I couldn’t make out many details of the man on stage with Demetrius, a local silversmith who specialized in making shrines to our city’s goddess, Artemis. Word slowly trickled up. The other men were followers of Paul of Tarsus, one of those people of the Way. There had been a scuffle in the streets that led them to the big stage to settle the matter.

I’d heard of Paul’s teachings that were leading a stir throughout Asia, including my city. Others like him were learning more about the Way and growing in boldness because of him. It was starting to be a real threat to our lifestyle, challenging our commerce, morality and government.

What was this troublemaker up to today?

Before Paul’s followers could defend their side, the city clerk piped up to end the dispute. “If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. You’re dismissed.”

I leaned forward and watched closely. They turned left from the theater and I followed suit as unexpected curiosity compelled me through the streets.

I’d lost sight of Paul’s men, but I charged forward and knocked on the door of a man I knew had been meeting with him.

There Paul was.

To my surprise, I was welcomed in. I crossed the threshold filled with an unshakeable feeling … everything was about to change.

And oh, how it did.

With the flick of a switch, headlights illuminate the dark county road. 

A minute later gravel crunches under the tires where the pavement ends. After a long left curve, the lit sidewalk is in sight.

Everything else is a familiar, beautiful black.

The car’s now in park. Needing nothing more than a crack, the hot, humid air greets its visitors. 

Bags are grabbed, doors are shut and then there’s a long pause to look up.

They say Texas stars are bright at night but most of the time city lights steal their show.

But not here.

There they are … shining bright in all their glory. A borrowed glory fashioned on purpose to point even higher.

In the looking up, home is found … again.

“I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore…” -Genesis 22:17

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”‭‭ -Psalm‬ ‭8:3-4‬

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.‭‭” -Romans‬ ‭1:20‬

Behold, this is our God…

He covers blood red sin and makes it white like snow and wool (Isaiah 1:18).

He doesn’t smite the sinner, He lets them collapse in awe at His presence (Isaiah 6).

He illuminates the dark with a great light (Isaiah 9:2).

He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

He prepares a feast of fine foods for people from all places who have pledged their devotion to Him (Isaiah 25:6).

He gives peace to those who trust Him (Isaiah 26:30).

He cradles close those He cares for like a shepherd tending his flock (Isaiah 40:11).

He strengthens and helps (Isaiah 41:10).

He doesn’t break bruised reeds or blow out smoldering wicks (Isaiah 42:3).

He walks near and casts out fear (Isaiah 43:1-2).

He provides water in the wilderness and the wasteland (Isaiah 43:20).

He stretches his light and salvation far to reach the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).

He loves without fail and cannot be shaken (Isaiah 54:10).

He says “come” to all who are thirsty (Isaiah 55:1).

He sends his people out with joy and peace (Isaiah 55:12).

He proclaims good news to the poor, binds up the brokenhearted, frees captives and releases prisoners from darkness (Isaiah 61:1).

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” – Isaiah 25:9

If you’re anything like me, you like mountaintop experiences … but maybe not so much what it takes to get there.

To reach the summit, you work your way up from the valley. And before you even get to the base, you endure months of training to get your body ready for an ascent that’s furthest from easy.

Your alarm goes off early and you want to snooze. A friend reaches out with a more social option than an evening spent with your pack on the gym’s stair stepper. You want to throw in the towel, but you know you won’t reach the top unless you put in the time and effort to train.

Then the time finally comes to climb.

You drive to the base, strap on your pack and start to trek. The higher you get, the thinner the air and heavier the pack on your fatigued legs. It’s only views of the summit that pull you forward when you consider turning back.

Looking up keeps you going. Looking up keeps you going. Looking up keeps you going.

A few hours spent going straight up and you’ve made it. Your eyes fill with wonder at the clouds and peaks that remind you that though you’re small and insignificant, Someone deems you as more valuable than the finest wines and metals and jewels.

He’s even sacrificed His most precious Gift to prove it.

Then you look down. You see the valley and the walking in between from a fresh perspective. Suddenly it hits you … the sights and sounds and smells from the top aren’t what makes the experience, it’s the sweaty, exhausting, heart-pounding journey that brought you there.

It’s hard and beautiful and treacherous and rewarding and unpredictable and consistent and a lot like life.

This. This is what I love about the mountains.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” –Psalm 121:1-2

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation … For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.” –Psalm 95:1, 3-4