• Devotionals,  Faith,  Relationships

    Permission For Peace

    Sometimes, you need to give yourself permission for peace.  I’m letting you know right now this post is going to rock your world. I may get vulgar and you might not like it. But that’s what we do when we transition. Isn’t it? We get rude. In your face. At first we think it’s our right. We were the ones wronged. What happens when that apology we’re waiting for never comes? I can’t tell you how frustrated life’s challenges have been in my life to the point where I refused to stay silent–and I’m the one who got burned. What the? #1. Like that time my former coworker tried to…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    Permission To Transition

    Sometimes, you need to give yourself permission to transition. Why? Because no one else can do it for you. This past week has been the most amazing spiritual high ever and I feel I may never come down. It’s not an emotional high, but the benefits of walking obediently. Two weeks ago, I wrote a confession. That I was going to take the rest of the year off from traveling, speaking, and writing my next book. It’s so weird. Since then God has blessed me even more that I can hardly stand it! I can’t help but rejoice that the Lord reigns in my life–and I pray yours as well.…

  • Devotionals,  Relationships

    God Said Man Said

    God said man said goes something like this: God said: “Speak to that rock.” Man said: “[Struck] the rock twice with his staff.” What’s wrong with this picture? Sounds to me God and Moses were saying two different things. I was reading Numbers 20 in my One-Year Bible this week, and couldn’t help but see a familiar picture. God says one thing; we do another. Or he (or she) says one thing, and we say (or do) another. It Starts With A Problem (Doesn’t it always?) “Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron” (Numbers 20:2, NIV). No matter how…

  • Faith

    Start A Singles Ministry

    Today, my post entitled Is Your Church A Safe Place For Singles went live on CATALYST blog. I talk about a favorite church, and how it encouraged me to lead regardless of my relationship status. Even though I am now married, I am encouraged myself as we try our new churches to find the right one for us. If you’re a pastor or a small group leader here is a great way to jump start or restart a 20’s ministry at you church. Here’s how… Singles need a home. Here’s how to start a singles ministry at your church. Create a welcoming environment. Young adults are in a state of…

  • Faith,  Relationships

    Friendship Quotes

    Today my amazing husband Marc turns 29. If you recall, he wrote me a book on the 29 reasons why he loves Renee for my birthday in June. Since Marc is more of a private guy–I thought I’d return the favor by posting different 13 quotes on friendship. According to Timothy Keller’s book The Meaning of Marriage, Chapter 4 explores friendship as the mission of marriage. I hope you enjoy and are encouraged by these friendship quotes. 1. Christian friends…are to honestly confess their own sins to each other (James 5:16). 2. Christian friends…are to lovingly point out their friend’s sin if he or she is blind to them (Romans…

  • Devotionals,  Faith,  On Writing

    My Confession

    If conviction follows intention, then confession must follow both. This is my confession. Before I chicken out; I am taking the rest of the year off from speaking and writing my fourth book. The past few years I have been furiously working, writing, researching, and speaking towards 20-somethings. This girl needs a break. I finished the work, the race, and I sped my little heart out. My third book is done, minus edits. My second book is launched. Now it’s time to rest and wait on God to show me His glory. Exodus 33:3, NIV84 says, “Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not…

  • Relationships

    Don't Just Guard Your Heart

    At first, I wanted to name this Triple Threat–like last week. I’d post the 3 links and be done with it. Then I remembered my mom’s email to me. “Renee, don’t just call it Triple Threat. Where’s the threat? Call it Triple Treat because your writing is such a treat.” Aww. Mom. Thank you, but no! Instead, I am naming it Don’t Just Guard Your Heart because I wanted to let you know of a post I wrote featured on Relevant today entitled Why Guarding Your Heart Isn’t Enough. If you’ve ever had someone throw the phrase around like a punch to the face–I know you’ll appreciate it. *Next, I…

  • Devotionals,  Relationships

    Your Relationship Status

    [Guest post by Jessica Bufkin] – And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don’t think I’m being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches. (1 Corinthians 7:17 MSG) People mean well. Really, they do. But honestly, sometimes the things that they say, despite their well-meaning intentions, remain lodged in our minds for a very long time. For instance, your relationship status. My parents have never once poked or prodded…