That time I called out false teaching in Christian publishing after reading a popular book

Published on by Sara Brunsvold1 Comment

Photo by Paul Schafer on Unsplash

 

If you hang around my Facebook page, you may know that I occasionally post videos in which I share thoughts on a particular topic. I’m not one who enjoys making or being in selfie videos, so know that if I post a video, it’s because I truly care about the message and feel compelled to speak it verbally rather than using my default method of written words.

A little over a week ago, I posted a video that sprang out of several offline conversations I’d had with women about one particular Christian nonfiction book.

This is a popular book. It’s selling really, really, really well.

I was familiar with this author’s work well before this book, and I can attest the author is well-spoken, intelligent, a phenomenal storyteller and has the motivator gift in spades.

The author also misapplies Scripture, misrepresents Christian principles and skews the Christian worldview to be more appeasing to the secular market. Continue reading “That time I called out false teaching in Christian publishing after reading a popular book” →

Inspiring quotes that show what mentoring is all about

Published on by Sara BrunsvoldLeave a comment

These quotes put into memorable words what mentoring is really about, why mentoring is important and how it benefits both the mentor and mentee.

Whether you aspire to become a mentor or are in the fight already, let these words speak to you.

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“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.”

John C. Maxwell

Continue reading “Inspiring quotes that show what mentoring is all about” →

We Have Forgotten We Are Sisters: Broken unity among believers

Published on by Sara Brunsvold7 Comments

A friend broke the news to me the other day. A group of women I care about who lead a ministry I care about have become divided. The group has split, resentfully. So many women find themselves caught between the two sides.

Those were hard words to hear. Heartbreaking.

I don’t want to see the good work God is doing be maligned by what amounts to personality conflicts and differences of opinion.

I wish I could say I have heard such a story only once in recent months. Sadly, I’ve heard it multiple times. Different groups, same story. The broken unity among Christian women seems to be everywhere.

The devil is at work, sisters. He has prowled, and he has devoured. The carnage lays beneath his dancing feet. Continue reading “We Have Forgotten We Are Sisters: Broken unity among believers” →

Before you say no to becoming a mentor, know this

Published on by Sara Brunsvold3 Comments

Only in the last couple of years have I started to take seriously the instructions found in Titus 2:3-4:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children

I never saw myself as “older.” I mean, I certainly don’t FEEL old. Most days, anyway.

Then I started to notice just how young those college girls look, and how so very, very “momish” the entirety of my wardrobe is.

I also started noticing, quite by accident, that I had life experience younger women craved to hear, much to my surprise.

So I took a step of faith.

And it didn’t take long for me to understand certain truths that so many older women have learned before me when they became mentors: Continue reading “Before you say no to becoming a mentor, know this” →

Marry the man strong enough to lead your family

Published on by Sara Brunsvold1 Comment
(Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash)

 

To all my young Christian sisters with an eye toward marriage:

You get a lot of advice about how to decide whom to marry. I won’t pretend to have any expertise in marital counseling, but in my nearly 13 years as a wife, I have learned a valuable lesson I want to share with you.

Oddly enough, this lesson was recently voiced by, of all people, Justin Bieber.

His engagement is inescapable news these days. Without trying to, I found myself reading a recap of his gushing Instagram post to his future bride. One sentence in particular stood out to me:

“I promise to lead our family with honor and integrity letting Jesus through his Holy Spirit guide us in everything we do and every decision we make.”

Ladies, think what you will about the Biebs, but he captures the key thing I would implore all of you to look for in a future husband.

Marry the man strong enough to lead your family. Continue reading “Marry the man strong enough to lead your family” →