Hey friendlings!
Today I’m comin’ at you from the sunny suburbs because finally, finally, I got visitation rights to see Walter, my long-lost dog love. Unfortunately, he won’t stop hiding under the table.
I think that means he missed me. Read more
Hey Joy,
Two questions:
1. When you want to laugh and have fun, who comes to mind first?
2. What are your thoughts on interracial relationships? Read more
One of the side effects to the delay or absence of marriage in our culture is that many of us have had strong connections with people who we didn’t end up with forever. (This is by no means a bad thing if we choose to treat the people we date well.)
Hey Friends,
On Sunday morning I got a less than ideal comment on one of my blog posts. In response, I’ve decided to scrap today’s post and instead share something that I’ve actually been thinking about for the past 5 years.
This one goes out to all my ladies!
(Guys, it’s okay. You can stay or skip down to the bottom for the chance to win a rad read.)
I want to talk to you about my friend, Jennie Allen. She’s a writer, speaker, teacher, and most importantly, a dreamer. And lately, her dreams have been coming true. Read more
If you’ve been perusing the site at all lately, you’ll know that I’ve got some fun things going on. Between the launch of The Illumination Project, my upcoming book (aptly named Permanent Vertigo), a few upcoming events, and the general Love and Respect Now & Love and Respect ministries, I’m having a blast. (Heart palpitations.)
But I think I could clear a few things up…
Hey friendlings,
We’ve finally come to the finish line of the What I Know Now series, a collection of little videos I made with my parents in celebration of The Illumination Project launch. My mom and pop have been sharing some nuggets of wisdom they’ve learned from different stages of their lives.
In case you’re just joining us, we’re in the last leg of the What I Know Now series.
As The Illumination Project (a 6-week study) was released this month, one of the main points I try to drive home is for all of us to seek wise counsel. So this series is another example of doing that—I ask my parents to share what they would tell themselves at different life stages. We’ve heard some great stories from when they were single and when they were newlyweds and now…
…when they became my parents. (AKA, the best years of their lives)
In case you’re just tuning in, we’re smack dab in the middle of the What I Know Now series. My hope for all these parental interviews is to highlight the importance of asking questions and seeking counsel—we have so much to learn from those who’ve gone before us.
Think of it as an echo of The Illumination Project song, an opening band to the main show, a slice of apple pie before the main course.
Friendlings, if you’ve been around the site for the past week, you should know two things:
1. The Illumination Project has launched! My baby, born!
2. We are smack dab in the middle of the What I Know Now series, starring none other than my wonderful (and often hilarious) parentals.
In light of one of the themes behind The Illumination Project—the importance of seeking counsel—I’ve brought in the ‘rents to talk all things wisdom.
They are, after all, older and wiser.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some interviews I did with my mom and pop about what they would tell themselves at different stages of their lives—as singles, as newlyweds, as new parents.
Did you hear the good news?! The Illumination Project has officially launched! Don’t know what I’m talking about?! You may be living under a rock!
Lucky for you, the party is just getting started and even rock-dwellers are welcome.
Lately my siblings and I have really been feeling neglected and unloved by our parents. When we’ve asked other people whether or not to confront them about it, everyone has said, “No. You have to honor your parents.”
Can you confront your parents? Read more
I’m writing on behalf of my sister. She’s been in a serious relationship for about a year, but she’s paralyzed by the fear of getting married as a result of growing up in a divorced home. What can I say to my sister to calm her down and help her overcome her anxiety?
Hi Friends and lovers of music,
It is with a sad heart that I let you all know that Stephanie, my partner-in-crime and other half will be ending her 2 1/2 years with LRN to start a new season staying at home with her babies.
I am 110% behind her doing this, but 110% sad that I will now be alone in the office staring at the wall.
Joy,
I used to be on pins and needles waiting to get married. Every interaction I had with a single person was weighted with, “Is this the ONE?”
But now it’s changed. Read more
I just started dating this wonderful woman—I really care about her, and love the heart she has for having a family someday. Problem is, we just started dating, and because I have to travel a lot for my career, I just left the country for a couple of months.
Hey! My pastor, Rick McKinley, is re-releasing his first book. And since I office out of my church and am close enough to steal a few copies, I did just that…for YOU!
You’re welcome.
Hi Joy,
I’ve recently gotten married. I love being married, but now my single friends are leaving me out. My best friend, for example, no longer calls when she goes camping or to a concert.
I know I can’t go out as much as my “free-wheeling” single friends, as I’m balancing school and my husband, but I don’t want to feel like there’s this divide growing between us.
When I speak, I often get questions that essentially ask, “What do I do, Joy, when life isn’t quite turning out how I planned?”
But, I know what they’re really asking.
Read more
When I speak, I often get questions that essentially ask, “What do I do, Joy, when life isn’t quite turning out how I planned?”
But, I know what they’re really asking.
Read more
When I speak, I often get questions that essentially ask, “What do I do, Joy, when life isn’t quite turning out how I planned?”
But, I know what they’re really asking. Read more
Hi Joy,
Most of the time, I hear “respect” talked about as if it’s primarily a man’s thing. But, respect is really important to me, as a woman–I know this because of the inner temper-tantrum I feel whenever I feel disrespected. I don’t just mean respect in a sexual sense (in fact, that’s the least of my worries). I crave respect as an adult, as a professional and as a Christian. Read more
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