(Note:  I found this in my drafts from around 2011 and I’m finally posting it!  What’s crazy is that I still struggle with this very thing…) The Lord is funny sometimes.  I’ve often whined through the years that I can’t really hear Him.  I think we all struggle with this from time to time, if […]

The post How God Spoke to Me appeared first on Christianity 101.

My Mom was always there for all five of us kids, no matter what. She taught us many lifelong lessons about being good to others. And Kent's Mom is not your typical Mother-in-law...

The post The 5 Best Gifts Our Moms Gave Us appeared first on Christianity 101.

For those who saw my recent prayer request on social media, here's the rest of the story. I can finally get through a day without sobbing constantly, so now I will share...

The post The Nightmare is Real–Please Pray for Our Family appeared first on Christianity 101.

When a young friend emailed recently requesting advice for a good marriage, I hoped you might be willing to add your own advice to the mix. Please share in the comments!

The post Will You Share Your Advice for a Good Marriage? (Plus My Tips!) appeared first on Christianity 101.

I’m compiling a few talks of Father Mike’s on suffering and why God allows it.   None of these are very long, but I do think they’re helpful if you’re struggling with this question: God doesn’t take away suffering, He redeems it. (Start just after minute 28:00.) The real answer to why God allows suffering. Why […]

The post Father Mike Schmitz: “Why Does God Allow Suffering” appeared first on Christianity 101.

Father Mike Schmitz is one of my favorites and I’ve posted his videos here before.  Right now is a tough time for many and the fact that we can’t go to Mass is heartbreaking, but last Sunday watching this Mass online with almost 25K people was very special and so moving, you HAVE to hear […]

The post Can’t Get a Miracle? BE the Miracle appeared first on Christianity 101.

When having a conversation with some friends the other day, we were talking about how most parents desire that their kids grow up to be "good people".  Of course there's nothing wrong with hoping for this, and I couldn't put my finger on it at the time, but I knew that just "being good people" is not what I want for our kids.  For some reason the conversation made me feel unsettled inside. What kind of Mom am I to not want our kids to be GOOD?  

The post Why I Don’t Want Our Kids to Grow Up to Be Good People appeared first on Christianity 101.

It was a powerful Lent in many ways, and that mountaintop experience was perhaps my strengthening before the coming storm, when God prepared me for the valley.

The post When God Prepared Me for the Valley appeared first on Christianity 101.

I've been binging on C.S. Lewis lately.  After finishing The Great Divorce I went right into re-reading Mere Christianity, and next I'll crack open The Problem of Pain.  His writing delves into the very thoughts I often ponder or even those that I sometimes struggle with in my faith life.  And yes, struggling with various aspects of our faith is normal...

The post Why are not all Christians obviously nicer than all non-Christians? (C.S. Lewis) appeared first on Christianity 101.

This morning I sent this out in a private email to a few people and thought I'd share it here...

The post Sensitive Topic Alert!!! (A letter I sent today…) appeared first on Christianity 101.

How many times have you said, "There is NO way that could happen. I'm not even going to bother praying for the impossible".

The post The Impossible appeared first on Christianity 101.

Want to take a challenge and read the Bible in one year with me?! Recently someone dear to me lost her Mom.  I know how devastating this is.  When we spoke she shared that she was really feeling drawn to read the Bible but had NO idea where or how to start...

The post Read the Bible in One Year with Me? appeared first on Christianity 101.

Have you ever felt "bored" when sitting in church? Or maybe you just don't feel like going? Because of our humanity, I think we all have felt that way at times. But this story about "Clean Blood" will freak you out and will definitely wake us up a bit...

The post Clean Blood appeared first on Christianity 101.

Lately I'm feeling more and more like I want to somehow live radically for Jesus, and do something that takes me to a place of being less comfortable than most of us are here in this part of the world. My flesh says no-thank-you, I'm just fine here!

The post Does This Seem Radical to You? appeared first on Christianity 101.

Recently a reader asked for advice on how to raise kids to be committed Christians. For Kent and I, this is our number one goal as parents, to raise up kids who love Jesus so they can know Him and be used by Him to help others in this world, and so we can all be together in the next. I just don't see how anything else matches this goal when you think of eternity, but wow, it's not easy, and I sure don't have the magic formula. I've got some ideas though...

The post Raising Kids to be Committed Christians–Tips from an Imperfect Mom appeared first on Christianity 101.

Father Mike Schmitz is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to when I'm out walking -- he and Father John Riccardo always seem to speak right to my heart! This video by Father Mike, "How to Discern", is a favorite, because who among us doesn't question how to know God's will for our lives?!

The post How to Know God’s Will for Our Lives appeared first on Christianity 101.

Do you wonder what Colton from Heaven is for Real is like today? Yesterday I took the kids to see Heaven is for Real at the theater. It was a beautiful film that you won't forget, much like the book!

The post Colton from Heaven is for Real at 13 Years Old appeared first on Christianity 101.

"I don't know why, you'd want a guy, who only cares what he sees with his eyes." I showed this to our younger kids and want to help them 'get' this now, before the world teaches them differently...

The post Show Your Kids This Video appeared first on Christianity 101.

A close friend is going through a rough time right now but she remains faithful that God will get her through. I asked how she was doing the other day, and here was her reply...

The post Who Needs a Miracle? appeared first on Christianity 101.

The West Michigan Miracle Field: "They just want to play ball with everyone else..."

The post Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play Baseball appeared first on Christianity 101.