Ice storms
We’re navigating two big ICE storms this week. One being felt in the north and one in the south. The ICE storm currently centered in Minneapolis…
Cultivating a life of prayer and prayer in real life
Why does prayer feel so hard sometimes? Perhaps we have forgotten (or never learned) what it means to depend on God throughout our day— and by…
Considering Our Words in the New Year
Words. What do you hear when you listen to the regular rhythm of cultural conversations today? Do you hear what I hear? I hear words that…
Carmen’s 23 books of 2023
Each year, I have the opportunity to read a lot of books and interview many authors for Mornings with Carmen, and I’m happy to share my…
A Thanks Giving Prayer
God on high, hear our prayers. Today we take to heart Your word which compels us to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give…
Mornings with Carmen Playlist: Israel
Compilation of Mornings with Carmen episodes on Israel— helping us to think rightly about what is happening in the Middle East, pray for those affected by…
Israel’s 9/11 came on 10/7/2023
Shabbat. It is the Jewish sabbath. It is a day of rest. It is a 24 hour period of time from sundown on Friday until sundown…
Spotlight Interview: John R. Erickson shares the story behind Hank the Cowdog
Where I live, we have a version of Wallace and Junior. We have a version of Rip and Snort. We have a version of Hank the…
Winning the lottery
At a Publix in Juniper Beach, Florida, a person buys a lottery ticket. Out of more than 300 million tickets sold, their ticket has the right…
Spotlight Interview: Jeff Christopherson gives the Western Church a check-up
Right before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave instructions about how they are to live: Go and make disciples of every nation. Two thousand years later, this is…
How to have a real conversation: Speaking truth, in love
Ephesians chapter 4 ends with instruction about how we should engage as Christians who are in the world but not of it: Let no corrupting talk…
Spotlight Interview: Sally Burke invites moms, grandparents, and everyone else to pray for our schools
Back to school is here. Hard to believe, but it’s true. As we prepare to send our children back to school (or have already done so)…
A Christ follower’s back to school checklist
Every store declares and every flashing light in every part of town forewarns: Back to school! Freshly sharpened pencils, crisp folders— many of us have nostalgia…
