The skull serves two purposes: protecting the brain and supporting the face. When my trainer gave me a workout that included an exercise known as ‘skull crushers,’ I was a bit concerned. If he’d referred to them as supine tricep extensions, there would not have […]
Calloused Hands, Not Calloused Hearts
I left the soft-hand life behind last year. On deadlift days, chalk mixes with sweat filling the ridges of my hardened callouses. Pulling 280lbs off the floor requires hands that can handle the pressure. Hands harden in response to training. Callouses help protect our hands […]
Abba, Father.
I hand my passport to the agent, who kindly asks me to lower my mask as he examines my documents. “Welcome, Mama!” the warmth of his greeting takes me by surprise.
Her Arms Are Strong for Her Tasks
Strong arms. That was my first fitness goal. I wish I could pass it off as a godly endeavor. But, it was pure vanity. I was 50 years old, leading worship at my church, and I did not want my arms to jiggle when I […]
A Place For You
“You need this.” The look on his face, the tone of his voice, and those three words inspired me to finish strong. There are three events in a Powerlifting meet: squat, bench press, and deadlift. After the bench press, I learned I was in third […]
Are You Strong Enough?
Spanish Lookout is a Mennonite community in Belize that resembles a typical small midwestern town in America. I’d stopped at five different locations, unsure what I was looking for, a dress for church, new shoes, or maybe a book? No, a word from God. I […]
Stay Here, Be Quiet, And Wait On Me
Have I talked about when God spoke to me in my Big Mama’s voice? Several years ago, I crawled out of bed, put on make-up, and a lovely dress to attend a women’s event. After worship, there was a call to come forward for prayer. […]
God’s Word Is…
God’s Word is ________. How did your mind fill in the blank? God’s Word is true? Reliable? A fairy tale? Our answer impacts our faith. In the early stages of our missionary work in Russia, I saw the miraculous hand of God in each challenge. […]
Chosen, Royal, Holy, Peculiar
Chosen. Royal. Holy. Peculiar. What do these four words have in common? Each term describes us as believers. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. And we are a peculiar people. As I read 1 Peter 2:9 in various translations, […]
Ice, Ice, Baby!
I came home with two bags of ice, a stupid ’90s song stuck in my head, and a dread-filled heart. I read about the benefits of ice baths and reluctantly decided to give it a try. That night I conquered my fear of bathing in […]