Kaitlin Wernet is a contributing writer and a former community coordinator behind She Reads Truth, the beautiful Bible reading and devotional app. Most recently, she has become a first-time author with the publication of The Book of Comforts: Genuine Encouragement for Hard Times. Along with her co-authors Rebecca Faires, Cymone Wilder, and Caleb Faires, she wrote and published this powerful, necessary book that hit shelves...
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Let’s be honest. This little app can easily consume our every spare moment if we let it. It is designed to be highly addictive and to keep you consuming its content for as long as possible which ultimately results in more advertising dollars for Facebook (which has owned Instagram since 2012). While there is nothing inherently wrong with using the app and while it has...
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By Allie Marie Smith Photo by Chlesea Steller September 9th – 15th, 2018 is Suicide Prevention Week. When it comes to dark days and nights I get it. I never wanted to die, but I wanted the agonizing pain to end. Part of major depression at its worst is believing a lot of lies: that there is no hope, that you will always be in...
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If you joined me for Part 1, you heard some of my story while also learning that our brains can heal despite any traumas we’ve suffered. I love that hope is real and healing is possible. Today I’m giving you specific ways to lead someone you love through the maze of suicidal distress with tools to guide your conversations and next steps. Big hugs, Dr....
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By Dr. Michelle Watson I’m so honored that you’re here for Part 1 of a two-part series. These two blogs are designed to help you navigate this delicate, yet intense topic should you find yourself walking this journey with a hurting friend or a struggling daughter. I trust that my words will validate you, support you, and provide resources that make a positive difference in...
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There’s quite a body-positive movement on social media these days. Girls and women of all shapes, sizes and colors are posting swimsuit or lingerie photos of themselves and in the captions, sharing about their relationship with their body image in the name of body-positivity. It is a beautiful sight to see a woman accepting her figure, dimples and curves and often inspires me to do...
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By: Juliandra Durkin Anyone else feeling it this year? Waking up to grey skies everyday and cold, rainy, or snowy weather that keeps you cooped up, maybe you get a little bit moody and down like me? I love to hike springtime, summer, and fall, but during the winter my motivation to get out in the woods… well it sounds dreary and cold instead of...
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“You’re so stupid.” “I guess I look okay.” “Why did I eat all of that? No wonder I’m fat.” “I should have worked out harder.” “I’m such an idiot for forgetting that!” “No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be on time.” Talk, talk talk. Negative self talk. You know what I’m talking about? Sometimes it’s so subtle we don’t even realize we’re doing...
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By: Danielle Kingsley I recently dated a great guy for a few months. He had all the key qualities and character traits I’ve ever wanted in a godly man, and on top of that, he was all kinds of handsome. On paper, we were perfect for each other. We had so much in common, we made each other laugh, we served together, and we challenged...
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By Allie Marie Smith If you’re like me and have struggled with food and body image issues, you realize that it’s a journey. Sometimes we take two steps toward freedom only to take one step back. The important thing is that we don’t lose hope in our recovery and that we press forward toward greater freedom, health and wholeness. Since I have personally taken quite...
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By: Lauren Goderwis “What happened?” Hearing that question sends my stomach through the floor. Every. Single. Time. It yanks me back to the shame and embarrassment, the confusion and darkness, that I walked through not too long ago. It punches me with the pain, the hurt, the hopelessness, and the loneliness I thought I’d never escape. I freeze. “It’s a long story.” Why is it...
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By: Juliandra Durkin What does Christ’s death on the cross really mean for us? If we grew up in the church, then we know the story… Jesus grew up in Nazareth and at the Lord’s timing was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. At that point, God the Father sent a dove and spoke from the Heaven’s to say, “This is my...
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By: Abigail Driscoll Shame. Guilt. Worthlessness. Inadequacy. These are feelings many of us are all too familiar with, especially when it comes to failure. Maybe you applied for a job you really wanted and after interviewing, the company decided to move on with a different candidate. Maybe you started a new business and it just didn’t take off. Maybe you set a goal and found it...
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By Juliandra Durkin Recently, I was struck with an unintentional break from the busyness of my non-stop life the past few weeks, when I started feeling sick and run down with a cold. I had been pushing myself with vigor for exciting, new volunteer and work activities and I think that getting sick was my body’s way of saying, “Enough!” It is not without reason...
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By Allie Marie Smith This is a photo of me at eighteen on my senior trip to Hawaii. It was taken just a week before I was hospitalized for severe depression because I wanted to end my life. Our week in Hawaii was decorated with tanning, partying and hooking up with guys. We rode scooters in short shorts and tank tops through Waikiki, sailed alongside...
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by: Alyssa Spang Sometimes I’m lonely. On lonely days, I can say with absolute certainty that I crave one thing: to be known. One day my mother told me, “you are consistent.” This simple statement meant more to me than “I love you” ever had. Worlds more. She saw me; she acknowledged my consistency. For that moment, I felt known. I don’t want to be...
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By Allie Marie Smith I recently stumbled across an interesting campaign called #TheUsProject by Soffe (an athletic clothing line) and I just had to share. I don’t know about you but I’ve posted the occasional selfie. We almost all have done it. So what’s the big deal? They seem pretty harmless right? Well research shows that increased selfie taking equals decreased intimacy and more shallow relationships....
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by: Juliandra Durkin During Spring I can’t help but to think of new life. The grey, snowy, icy, and often dismal cold melts away to tulips popping up in different colors, fragrant jasmine and honeysuckle, with birds and bunnies everywhere. Spring brings a sense of freedom where I no longer stand stiff in a bunchy winter coat, but can swing my arms unhindered. It is...
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