holiness in the modern world
This post is part of a nine-part year-end giving series on organizations we love. We're Scott and Elizabeth Drury, and we've put together a list of seven organizations we love and directly support financially that are doing important work around the world. If their efforts resonate with you, we'd be delighted if you'd consider giving …
After a challenging year in 2024, Scott and I didn't have big bags of money to give away, but we were excited about the season of giving and had hoped to share about some of the organizations we love. This year, we have the courage to share more openly. We'll try to keep it real …
Continue reading "Poured Out and Well-Watered for Giving in the Desert"
Two years ago, I had the blessing of being part of an ideal study group to examine the biblical basis of a contentious doctrinal question: Does God intend for men and women to share leadership equally within the church and home? As some brief background, "yes" answers to this question indicate an egalitarian position, though …
One year ago, my husband and I found ourselves in a crisis, and we needed to sing. Acutely troubled with a single enormous decision and with the cascading effects of the secretive actions of others, we were also extremely isolated, unable to discuss almost anything with almost anybody (other than our lawyer) for 73 days. …
Continue reading "We Did Not Despair: Singing into a Place of Grace"
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."Psalm 143:10 I recently had the bittersweet privilege of delivering the eulogy for my cherished father-in-law at his memorial service. As I pieced it together, I listened as the family filled in many details, and those …
I used to believe that every church should be multiethnic, but my first day of seminary teaching in 2011 showed me the limits of that view. One of my students was ministering in a hamlet truly lacking racial and economic diversity. Another served in an urban center where diversity was already the norm, and another …
Continue reading "Should Every Church Be Multiethnic? A Border-Crossing Perspective"
This past Saturday, I had the honor and joy of officiating the wedding of my son Jay and his lovely wife, Hannah. Part of that responsibility included giving a homily on marriage: a short, reflective sermon to impart the principles most important for flourishing in the journey ahead. After considerable trepidation, I ultimately opted for …
Over the years, as I have taught about the social and cultural dynamics that limit church diversity, I have often heard thoughtful resistance from people I respect. They care about their Christian responsibilities and love people, but they are not convinced that the demographics of their congregations and communities really matter. Ministry is demanding enough, …
It's still New Year's Day (for the next 21 minutes), so I still have time to declare a focal word or theme for 2024 that describes what's on my mind as we dive in. I had never chosen a word or theme for the year until 2023, but in December a year ago, one word …
Last Sunday, a leader stood before a congregation in a chapel and announced that the following Sunday would mark the start of Advent, a season of waiting for Christmas. We were thus waiting last Sunday to begin an official period of waiting a week later (today). It was an announcement of a coming announcement about …
Continue reading "The Murk, the Advent, & Promises Fulfilled"
Thursday night, I received the opposite news of what I had hoped for, and, oddly, I'm OK. Why is that? The unwelcome announcement was that after enormous personal investment--and for the second time around--I didn't receive a grant that would have funded the launch and establishment of a project I have been working on for …
Continue reading "Not (Entirely) What I Wanted for Thanksgiving"
We may have different pressure points, but I'm guessing we've all experienced it. People ask us questions that make us feel exposed. Ever been there? I have the classic packaging of albinism--a striking lack of pigment in hair, skin, and eyes--so I've had a lifetime of opportunity to figure out how to respond to the …
Continue reading "3 Tips for Handling Intrusive Questions Graciously"
I'm a question magnet. When I was five and had an unfortunate pixie haircut, it was, "Are you a little boy or a little girl?" In elementary school, when I squinted in the sunshine before close-fitting sunglasses were a thing, it was, "Why can't you open your eyes outside?" As I scooted closer to see …
"Will you come preach at our church?" the pastor asked. "Sure!" I answered. "What's the topic or passage you'd like me to cover?" Well, let's just say the answer surprised me! You can find out more on how that conversation went in the recording at the link below. Even better, this sermon suggests answers to …
In this sermon to the congregations of Crosspoint Wesleyan Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, I tell the story of how God transformed the area of greatest impossibility in my life and taught me in a surprising way about his heart for a diverse and divided world. https://youtu.be/LqGmwB8dQxs Start at 33:10
I grew up assuming that the whole point of accepting my white eyelashes and all the other aspects of the albinism package was to feel good about myself and thus to get by. Not too long ago, my perspective about the purpose of self-acceptance began to expand, helped in part by a very old story. …
Scripture reading for this post: "See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. "Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about …
A blog must begin somewhere, and there has to be a first moment. This post marks that "somewhere," and as these words spill out, so does that first moment. Why this blog, and why today? Simply put, I realized yesterday that I must be a responsible contributor to good in this world, sharing with diligence …
This post is part of a nine-part year-end giving series on organizations we love. This ministry of former Mormons who converted to biblical Christianity reaches out to provide care, support, and witness to people who are still Mormons (also called Latter Day Saints, or LDS). They also provide excellent resources to help Christians understand Mormonism. …
This post is part of a nine-part year-end giving series on organizations we love. We love this Wesleyan church, its tenderhearted and talented staff, and Pastor Josh Ratliff! Crosspoint is an actively learning, thinking, and serving church. With Liberty and several other universities in town, many people who are drawn to Crosspoint place a high …
We are well-acquainted with GP, a Wesleyan hub for sending and supporting Christian workers around the world. Two specific needs that GP coordinates are especially important to us. This post is part of a nine-part year-end giving series on organizations we love. GP: Kevin and Cindy Kevin and Cindy with our son Pete in the …
This post is part of a nine-part year-end giving series on organizations we love. We've known several people over the years who have faced unbelievable difficulty navigating the US immigration process. We've witnessed how difficult it can be even for the most vigilant people to follow the steps without becoming disqualified, confused, or stuck because …
This post is part of a nine-part year-end giving series on organizations we love. In June, Elizabeth joined the founding board of a new organization investing in the lives and futures of young people at the threshold of adulthood. The founder and director, Gavin Potter, enriched the life of one of our sons in a …
With its network of US partners, HAU tops our list of trustworthy favorites for 2025. This post is part of a nine-part year-end giving series on organizations we love. Hope Africa University in Burundi, East Africa, is important to us because it is making a transformative difference in the poorest country in the world and …
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