Over the weekend my friends Angellah, Nana and I got into a discussion about materialism. Basically, it wasn’t so much about whether or not Christians should be wealthy or have nice things, but about where the thin line between enjoying God-given wealth and materialism lies, and how we can make sure we’re not crossing it. Closer to the end of the discussion I voiced something that’s been on my heart for about a week now – something I’ve personally been struggling to come to terms with – and the moment I voiced it, I knew it was something I’d have to really process and come to terms with for myself: The love of life can and will distract you from the love of God. If you follow me on social media, or happen to know me personally, you know I love life. I love travel, and eating, and shopping, and…

You know how you can randomly just be doing something, and suddenly a memory that was locked away in the recesses of your brain rushes to the surface, and you find yourself piecing together all the events, not entirely sure what you’re replaying is actually a memory until you do? And then you burst out laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of the reality? That was me yesterday when I remembered a time when one of my friends was really sick. I know, I know – it doesn’t sound funny, but I assure you it was. It was a random day when said friend called asking if I had any malaria medicine. It just so happened I did (because my dad is more cautious than I, and always requires that I take anti-malaria meds back with me whenever I visit), so I rushed over to his, along with our other friend,…

I have to apologize – on behalf of myself and anyone else who ever made this Christian faith thing seem like a walk in the park. It isn’t always one. I felt like I should write this to you because I know sometimes it can be lonely feeling like you’re the only one who can never get it right or do right. I know how much guilt you probably feel not living up to what you know God expects from you, and frankly, a lot of what you’ve come to expect from yourself. This is me asking – pleading with you – to be gentle with yourself. Give yourself Grace. Ever tried tightrope walking? I haven’t. But I’m sure any circus acrobat will tell you that while it may look effortless, walking the straight and narrow is never easy and, in fact, takes years and years of practice and discipline…

Have you ever read the gospels and found yourself astounded by the number of Mary’s that were involved in the events of the time? It’s almost like watching a modern day play where every other female character is named Jennifer, and yet every Jennifer has a distinct personality, and is somehow involved in her own concurrent plot. Now, I’m no theater major – I’ve never even watched a show on Broadway. I didn’t study literature and have never read Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet (though I am preferential to the adaptation that featured Aaliyah), and I’m not a hundred percent sure what a sonnet is – but I do know a literary device when I see one. I’ve read the Bible enough times to know to never underestimate God’s ability to weave a narrative throughout history that speaks through the written Word to the unique experience and circumstance of an individual…

I never understood the story of Samson and Delilah, even when I was a child. Don’t get me wrong – it was an intriguing enough story; a man who had such power coming from just his hair. And as I grew older, I couldn’t help but picture Samson a la Man Bun (don’t tell me you can’t see it), a sort of Sinbad-esque figure, slaying beasts. But despite my hyper imagination, the story was one that still left me with one burning question: What the heck was wrong with this dude? It’s one thing to have a deceptive wife, but it’s a whole other thing to be married to someone who is CLEARLY trying to get you killed. If you’ve never heard the story, think Romeo and Juliet… except if Juliet was a conniving, backstabbing wife. It goes that Samson, this powerful man of God with the strength of an…