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All Will Be Well? Yeah, Right

“What are some of the biggest struggles you face in your spiritual life?” I asked Michelle, a kind, middle aged, woman who generously answered my impromptu “audience research” questions. She sighed deeply and said, “Feeling like there is no solid ground. I read the headlines and I worry about how the chaos in the world is going to affect the future. Especially my kids’ future. What is the world going to be like for them… for my grandchildren!” She paused, and looked me in the eye, “It’s hard to see where God is in all of this.”

Brandon Booth

December 9, 2025

Come Near, With-Us, Come Near

“Come here,” I mumble to my husband, who is already in my bed. Immanuel is with us now, and yet we cry, “O come!” O Christ, be nearer than the near you are! “Be born in us today,” says the children’s hymn. We know the theological math: He was promised. He was incarnate. He will be with us always, until the end of the age. So why do I plead, “Be near me today. I really need your help, Lord. Don’t be far away?”

Liv Booth

December 2, 2025

Am I Crazy? Why I Left My 9-5 and Started Working at Signpost Inn

I’ve met a lot of people who see God essentially as a bad boyfriend. If they don’t do everything exactly how he wants them to, when he wants them to, there will be serious repercussions. Their needs and emotions and feelings aren’t important at all; the only thing that matters is keeping the “man-child upstairs” happy. If you’re like me, you’ve probably believed this too, at least a little bit. We might not refer to God in those terms, but sometimes we view him as this egotistical being/person that could cut us off forever if we make one wrong move.

Ashley Bergey

November 25, 2025

How to have a non-defensive Thanksgiving conversation with crazy uncle Carl.

You know the feeling. You're sitting at the Thanksgiving table, the turkey's getting cold, and Uncle Carl just said that thing about politics... or religion... or your life choices. Your jaw tightens. Your stomach knots. Everyone around you catches their breath. Do you engage? Do you ignore him? Do you pretend to have a sudden and urgent need to visit the bathroom?

Brandon Booth

November 18, 2025

Hospitality: Is it ok to have boundaries?

“This will be a place of ministry. This is home.” I heard the Holy Spirit whisper one sunny afternoon as I stepped into a new home which my husband and I would eventually call our own. My husband and I were house hunting, and for some reason, it felt like a “Say yes to the dress!” moment. It felt like a dream! My dream house was coming to light! Soon I would gather friends and family around the table. There would be plenty of room to cook in the kitchen, and we would be able to serve and welcome many who needed a place to stay!

Karley Mae Wang

November 11, 2025

Drop that whisk (how to let go of control this Thanksgiving)

Go drop your whisk on the kitchen floor. Go ahead; I’ll wait. How did that feel? Scary? Risky? Weirdly liberating? There are a billion things we try to control over the holidays, including other people’s emotions. The thing is, I don’t have to make others have good feelings. I just act like I do. Letting go feels scary, maybe risky, but also weirdly liberating.Thanksgiving is very close, and I am super tempted to try and create a PERFECT holiday experience for everyone. If I do it right, maybe this time everyone will be happy the whole time?

Liv Booth

November 4, 2025

Prayer isn't for God. It's for you!

I’ll admit it. I feel guilty about my prayer life. I think “When was the last time I really prayed? I mean, really took time and intentionally spent it with God?” Surely if I just had a more intentional spiritual routine, I'd feel better about my relationship with God. Right!? And I’m a spiritual director, for crying out loud. I teach this stuff! I should know better. I should do better! Maybe you feel the same "I-should-pray-more" weight? Maybe you share the nagging belief that your happiness depends on your performance for God?

Brandon Booth

October 28, 2025

A Booth in a Coffee Shop

I shake my head at myself: good heavens, why am I so afraid of their opinion? Why does it feel like my validity rests on my perception of these lovely people’s perception of my perception of someone’s perception … arghh!!I just need to be anchored! I just need to know that I’m ok before I put myself out there. And then I notice the empty seat across the table, in my safe booth. I take a deep breath, and I invite Jesus to sit with me before I venture out. What would he be doing right now, as I spiral into a puddle of self-doubt?

Liv Booth

October 21, 2025

The Wrong Courtroom: Letting Jesus Determine My Identity.

We’ve been exploring the pain of broken relationships here and on our podcast for the past few weeks. When someone I love won’t talk to me, or a friend avoids me, it hurts. Especially when they won’t tell me why!I’m usually a bit obsessive about it. What are they thinking about me? I feel like I’m a defendant in a courtroom. I run scenarios in my head, rehearsing exactly what I’ll say if I can get them to listen. Sometimes I can’t sleep, lying awake guessing at their accusations, planning my counter arguments, rehearsing my story, marshaling my evidence.

Brandon Booth

October 14, 2025

My heart as a meatlocker (and how to thaw it)

I’ve been frozen out. Have you? Loved ones have gone silent, been distant, as if the relationship we had suddenly froze in its tracks. I reach out for connection and I get Arctic stillness. But not peace.I’ve also frozen people out. From inside, I give my excuses that “they’re not interested in reconciliation” or “they don’t even notice I’m ghosting them.” I’ve even gone along with the latest trends that jump immediately to cutting ties with painful connections. I get some quiet. But not peace.

Liv Booth

October 7, 2025

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