Happy Easter my dear friends. It truly is the MOST wonderful time of the year!

By grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we have been brought from death to life and what we celebrate this Sunday is what made it all possible. I pray that the gospel is more alive to you this Easter than ever before. 

Here are a few of my favorite Easter encouragements I've happened upon this blessed season that I want to share with you on my first ever Friday Favourites... 

Are you still there?

Have you ever felt a little offended when Netflix asked you this? Of course I'm still here. Are you implying I shouldn't still be here? Are you suggesting I should be doing something more productive with my life? I was extremely busy finishing the entire series of Gilmore Girls in only a couple of short months.

In her new book, Nothing to Prove, Jennie Allen (one of my new favourites and founder of IF Gathering), describes my Netflix phenomena as numbing out. 

Perhaps like me, you communicate in attempt to connect with and correct people, or change circumstances you most desire. But often these attemps fall flat.

What if we took our words to vertical conversation, before we went horizontal? What if we talked to God before we talked to others? What if we allowed Him to filter our emotions, fears, feelings and responses through His truth before uttering a word?

Because here's the thing: Talking gets it out, but prayer gets it done.

We used to sing this simple song in church. Perhaps you remember it?

Brokenness, brokenness, is what I long for. Brokenness is what I need. Brokenness, brokenness, is what you want for me, O Lord, O Lord. So take my heart and form it, take my mind transform it, take my willl conform it, to yours, to yours, O Lord. 

I say 'used to' only because I can't remember the last time I heard it sung. Broken isn't the bullseye the world tells us to aim for. 

Perhaps that is our problem.

I sat in the front row listening intently as he said with sincerity, conviction and confidence, "Following God has been the greatest adventure of my life." As his words drifted into my ears and settled in my heart, I thought to myself, I want that same kind of adventure.

The very word adventure intrigued me, perhaps because my life had felt fairly ordinary. No significantly life-altering events (positive or negative), had characterized my life. The very possibility of excitement, remarkability, and unpredictability was a welcome interruption in my seemingly ordinary life.  

Breakfast is not something I normally skip out on. It's part of my daily routine and I'm not one to forget to eat... except for this one particular day. And boy did I ever pick the wrong day.

A few weeks ago, my mom picked me up before the sun was up. We were off to the airport to teach at a conference. I wasn't quite feeling ready for food at that hour. I told myself I would eat later. We arrived at the airport, checked in, and went through security. We walked by a couple of restaurants but I told myself I'll eat later. I don't feel hungry yet.