by Laurie Short | Apr 22, 2016 | boundless, Faith, focus on the family
Depending on who (and how old) you are, there’s a good chance that “Focus on the Family” calls up some kind of inward response. Whether that response is positive, negative, or indifferent may depend on your age, presuppositions, political bent or any...
by Laurie Short | Apr 14, 2016 | Faith, Perspective, reframing, when changing nothing changes everything
I remember the morning well. It was a few months after I had moved to Santa Barbara, and the pastor I still work for invited me to give the sermon at my church. I was single at the time, and decided to begin by sharing a scene from my life. Here’s what I said: I got...
by Laurie Short | Apr 5, 2016 | Faith, having a new teenager, step parenting
Most people come to the altar to marry one person. I married two—though I will admit, there was a slight age difference. The smaller of the two (at least for now) turned 13 this week, and it’s hard to express your feelings when your pictures reveal to you how...
by Laurie Short | Mar 28, 2016 | Faith, hope, miracles
Coming off the events of Holy week, I’m aware that Easter can feel like a movie you love that you’ve already seen. You get into it. You relish your favorite parts. But you know how the story ends. And that changes the way it is lived out. You don’t...
by Laurie Short | Mar 23, 2016 | Crucifixion, Faith, Good Friday, Human suffering
In 2004, Mel Gibson made a movie that delivered a graphic illustration of Jesus’ journey to the cross. It was bloody, brutal, and raw, and many found it nearly impossible to watch. However there were a great deal more who found it impossible not to watch– the...