Her heart hurt. Not because she was physically sick, or injured. Her insides felt heavy and sad. Caught in a lie, destroying the trust of her friend. Acting like an immature child, she was so disappointed in herself. She knew her words had not been not truthful. She knew her hands were doing wrong. Most… Continue reading Drink the Water
We’ve all done it, perhaps some more than others. It usually surfaces when we are at a crossroad, an important decision, or an uncomfortable spot. Sometimes it is in response to something really terrible; a death, a loss, or an extreme sin we find within. It flashes through the mind of almost everyone who loves… Continue reading Free From Seeking God’s Will
Hands in her lap. Eyes clenched shut. Black swells of emotion rush from deep behind her eyes down to the pit of her stomach. Sketchy scenes replay from her past as if from a damaged filmstrip. Shameful thoughts and conversations bring an uncontrollable shudder from the depths of her soul. For a second, she lets… Continue reading Broken is Not Enough
Just when I thought everything was ok. Someone comes along and says those unexpected words. “I forgive you.” Immediately something turns in my stomach. The dread of exposure washes over me. Someone else has seen my dirty secret. Someone else has recognized that hidden path that I have been following. I didn’t even know I… Continue reading Angry at the Gospel
He heard it a million times from his mom; son of God, born of a virgin. When he was younger, he did not really know what all those words meant. Everyone was nice to him and he had a special place when they went to temple. He remembered the old men looking at him with… Continue reading What Jesus Did Not Know
She whispers softly. He stands an arms-length away. She calls again. He holds his reasoned stay. Its early in the eve, there’s little to fear Nothing is changing for her around here. He takes a step downward. She swims to the other end. He finally touches the water. She looks back at this new-found friend.… Continue reading You Must Rule Over Her
To argue and defend a point, it is understood that one must follow a certain set of rules. Logical reasoning, respectful debate, ethical integrity, and a nod to the emotional aspect. However, in an actual conversation with learned friends the emotional argument is the annoying nagging wench to be politely ignored. She gets a little… Continue reading In Defense of Emotion
I wonder sometimes. Out of the million choices and decisions I must face, what if I make the wrong one? I worry sometimes. Am I serving God? Or am I serving myself? Are my constant failures proof that my faith isn’t strong enough? Am I in danger of losing the grace, mercy, and love of… Continue reading Serve the Lord with Guilt
There are all kinds of conversations that we have with all kinds of people. But every once in a while, the discussion gets serious, and we discover it’s one that really matters. Just today, I was surprised to find my relatively normal, everyday small talk heading down a road that I did not expect. Especially… Continue reading Gospel Resistant
Amy sat on the plastic leather chair waiting of them to call her name. She wasn’t thirsty, but mindlessly swallowed from a crinkly plastic water bottle to pass the time. She had been there almost an hour, and wanted to walk out of the door about every five minutes. That made it about twelve times… Continue reading Thirsty Woman
Cindy Koch 