Rachel the Shepherdess

The Israelite matriarch Rachel is renowned for her beauty. She was the younger daughter of a man named Laban, and the woman Jacob hustled for seven years to marry—only to double down for another seven years after Laban tricked him into wedding Rachel’s sister Leah instead. It’s a wild story. But when we first meet Rachel in the book of Genesis, before we learn about her beauty, we read about her vocation. Rachel was a shepherdess.

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The Craft of Bible Study Design

So you’ve ordered Brave and Beloved, and now you are skimming through the remarkably beautiful pages designed by Jacy Corral—perhaps you start to notice that this study looks a little different than some of the ones you’ve purchased before. Why isn’t it split into days and weeks? Why aren’t there more questions? Where are the teaching videos? Why do you ask for answers that aren’t directly found in the text? I have very specific reasons for all of these things.

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Rethink Female Bravery, for the Gospel Coalition

I love a strong female lead as much as the next gal. But I confess that lately I’ve started to zone out whenever the elf queen, secret agent, or hero assassin begins kicking down doors and taking names. Incredible fight choreographers and highly specialized stunt women make scenes like this possible. Strong role models are valuable for young girls. It’s just that leading armies and defying supervillains isn’t a complete picture of bravery…Read the full article at the Gospel Coalition.

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God Bless VBS Songs

My car speakers are on a regular loop this week that includes “Jesus is our Guide,” “He is The Light,” and “I’m Trusting You,” a song that opens with a growling lion and monumental drumbeat. While 20-something me would have rolled her eyes in musical elitist disdain, I could not be happier to learn the dance moves and sing along with my children about how God makes a way in the wilderness.

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First Day Back from Maternity Leave: A Boilerplate

If you’ve ever worked in marketing and communications, then you know the importance of having some boilerplate language for various crisis communications scenarios. Today is not my first day back at work, but as with many big moments in life, I already know what I will need to say—really what I will need to preach to myself—when that day arrives. This is my boilerplate return to work post.

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