2015 Advent: Joy
The drive home is so familiar; driving it with my eyes closed seems tempting. The last several hours have been overflowing with the kind things that create memories that don’t easily fade. My senses have had quite the workout, the sights,...
Word Of The Year
During the Advent season the main concept is “waiting” for Jesus. Well, for me waiting feels negative. Waiting in line, waiting to use the bathroom, waiting to hear test results, waiting…the list could go on and on! The word I like better...
FPU: Retirement and College Planning
As a young adult in my mid-20s, retirement and paying for my future children’s education feels light years away. It can be hard to prioritize saving for the future when you’re trying to stretch your income to cover all of this month’s...
2015 Advent: Wonder
Few words cause an instantaneous response in our house. I can think of only a handful that send our kids into immediate action. I-C-E-C-R-E-A-M. As parents, we become proficient spellers, knowing that simply uttering the words will send...
FPU: The Role of Insurance
Insurance can be so daunting! I come from an entire family of people in the insurance business, and even so, I find myself getting overwhelmed when it comes to figuring it all out. There are so many different types of insurance, it's hard...
2015 Advent: Waiting
Hello friends! Happy first Sunday in advent. Kristen here and I'd like to introduce our friend Marcie Gates who will be bringing us our first ever Advent Series. Marcie has served as a partner in ministry for the last 7 years (full bio at...
Saying Yes & No Honestly
When I was processing my own role as a clergy spouse probably the best advice I heard from a former pastor’s wife was “Be yourself.” These wise words of advice stuck with me and continue to impact how I navigate my place in our community,...
FPU: Buyer Beware
How often do you find yourself with a commercial jingle stuck in your head? There’s a reason those jingles are so catchy. Companies are constantly competing for our money, and the best companies spend significant time and money studying our...
Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina
You may or may not be familiar with the practice of Lectio Divina and today we want to either introduce you to it or bring back to mind as you decide how to meet with God this week. Lectio Divina is a Latin phrase meaning ‘divine’ or ‘holy...
FPU: Dumping Debt
"You need a credit card to rent a car or to make purchases online." "Car payments are a way of life, and you’ll always have one." "You need to take out a credit card or car loan to build up your credit score." "Debt is a tool and should be...
