You may have heard of Moses. He is kind of a big deal. For both Jewish and Christian traditions, Moses represents the Law. He is the Hero who led God's people out of slavery in Egypt. He got to hang out on Mt. Sinai and receive the Ten Commandments. He got to glimpse God's glory. …
Other Peoples’ Children
My children started 1st and 2nd grade this morning. This isn't my first "first day of school", but that certainly didn't stop me from tearing up several times, including on the playground walking my kids in. It also didn't stop me from waking up before dawn with an anxious heart, before my coffee timer was …
Bummer Summer?
This summer was supposed to be golden. Golden and magical and dreamy and perfect, with loooong afternoons at the pool followed by (probably too many) trips to the Dairy Queen for twist cones and lazy mornings in our pajamas and most of all, most importantly, bonding with my kids. I cherished last summer with the …
Dogs, Crumbs and the Cringe-Worthy Ways of Jesus
I'm going to be honest here, there are parts of scripture that, when reading them, I cringe a little. Or a lot. I say this as an unashamed bible thumping, bible teaching, bible believing Jesus freak. But, it's true. So I might as well be honest about it. A few of those cringe-y bits are …
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Walking on Water in the Desert
We were hosting some friends for lunch a couple of days ago who are in the throws of planting an international English speaking African church and community center to serve the second and third generations of Congolese refugees living here in Tucson. I mean, come on, what a vision, right?!* As they were excitedly …
The Storm Inside
For the sea grew more and more tempestuous As Jonah flees the presence of the Lord, and sails in the opposite direction of Ninevah, God sends a great storm after him. The tempest is unrelenting and causes terror to all the guys on board so finally Jonah tells them it's all his fault and they …
Lord, let me be a Martha
With the exception of the Woman of Valor described in Proverbs 31, I don't think there is a female in all of scripture that Christian women use to beat themselves up more than poor old Martha. You remember Martha, right? Yes, yes. Mary's sister. The nagging one. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has …
The Rock and The House
As a family we love to adventure and hike and watch America Ninja Warrior and as a result my kids are often climbing rocks and trees and anything that will stand still including the walls of our house. Inevitably there will arise a moment of panic when one of them can't find a safe place …
The Ministry of Oreo Cookies
Last week my baby boy somehow, miraculously, turned 6 years old. He is big and strong and tender and generous and asks curious, philosophical questions about life. To celebrate we invited some family and school friends over and I sent my husband to the store to get some chips and cookies. He came back with …
We are the women of holy week
I remember Mary the mother of Jesus. During communion every Sunday and on Good Friday. The bread and wine- body and blood . I remember Jesus, of course, but also in my mind is the first woman in Jesus' life, Mary. Mary, who actually and literally and intimately, carried this flesh and this blood within …
The Kirsten Tree 