I didn’t really see why it was such a big deal if I said a bad word here or there or told a little fib to preserve the feelings of a sensitive friend. Yet here’s the thing: Sin is defined as when we offend God. It’s when we put something of the world before God, or when we take the easy, feel-good path instead of the right or honorable one.

Faith, BlogJessica BrodieMarch 21, 2019Author Jessica Brodiesin, sinful living, james 1:14-15, slippery slope of sin, romans 13:12-14, christianity, jesus, faith, christian living Comments

Loving God like my dog would

Thinking about our dog and his great capacity for love, I wonder if the way I’m treating God, the center of my universe, stacks up. When God calls or whispers, do I say, “Yes! God! I’m here!” all eager and excited, ready to drop all my plans for Him? Or do I put him off, ask Him to hang on while I take care of whatever I was doing?

Faith, BlogJessica BrodieMarch 18, 2019Author Jessica BrodieMatthew 22:37, loving god, how to love god, greatest commendment, greatest commandment, loving god like a dog Comments

God loves the real me

God loves me—the real me. He doesn’t love the “idea” of me, doesn’t love me in the abstract way, but the true, raw, unfiltered, bare-bones, no-frills soul parts. He loves even the parts I can’t mask or shove away in a corner.

Faith, BlogJessica BrodieMarch 14, 2019Author Jessica BrodieRomans 5:8, 1 john 3:1, god loves me specifically, god is love, god's love Comments

Waitressing: Preparation for my Christian walk

“Would you like fries with that?” isn’t so far from “May I pray with you?” As Christians, we are called to a life of servitude and humility. Jesus modeled that when He washed his disciples’ feet at The Last Supper.

BlogJessica BrodieMarch 11, 2019Author Jessica BrodieJohn 13:15, Mark 10:45, servanthood, servitude, christian servant, humility Comments

An interview with an author: Chip Mattis

Today I’m doing something a little different on my blog: an interview with one of my fellow writer-friends, Chip Mattis, whose new children’s book, Under the Dancing Tree (Elk Lake Publishing), is about to launch.

Writing, BlogJessica BrodieMarch 7, 2019Author Jessica Brodiechip mattis, author interview, under the dancing tree, elk lake publishing, children's book, family, jessica brodie, writers Comments

God first, others second

Confession time: I’m reformed people-pleaser. We keep a sign in our house that says, “God first, others second, self last.” At first I thought I put it there for my kids, but as I’ve come to realize it’s there just as much for me as for them. How about you—do you struggle putting God first?

Faith, BlogJessica BrodieMarch 4, 2019Author Jessica Brodiegod first, god first others second, jesus first, people pleasing, people-pleaser, How not to care what others think Comments

Wake up, Christian sleeper

My daughter might not want to wake up in the morning, just like we might not want to stop doing whatever it is that is causing us to live outside God’s way, whether that’s addiction or stealing or whether that’s making food or money our idol. But make no mistake: God is calling us into the light.

Faith, BlogJessica BrodieFebruary 28, 2019Author Jessica Brodieasleep in faith, living in the light, living as a christian, sinful living, is the way i'm living a sin, Ephesians 5:14, christian sleeper Comments

Aligning myself with God’s plan

Sometimes, we get out of alignment with God, and problems begin—just like the pulled muscles and sore back I experienced thanks to my out-of-sync body.