Experience

Publications

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Acts of Faith: ‘Just a little touching.' My own pastor excused my sexual assault

  Washington Post

  The message in some churches may be wrong, but the message of Christianity is right: My faith insists that my body is flesh and blood, animated with the breath of life, and instilled in that moment with an imprint of God. My body is made in the glorious image of God Donald Trump has never assaulted me, but men with his sense of entitlement have. What’s even worse: The church that should have been my shelter instead armed these men with ready-made excuses for their behavior.

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Acts of Faith: ‘Just a little touching.' My own pastor excused my sexual assault

  Washington Post

  The message in some churches may be wrong, but the message of Christianity is right: My faith insists that my body is flesh and blood, animated with the breath of life, and instilled in that moment with an imprint of God. My body is made in the glorious image of God Donald Trump has never assaulted me, but men with his sense of entitlement have. What’s even worse: The church that should have been my shelter instead armed these men with ready-made excuses for their behavior.

• Why I’m Not Returning My Liberty University Diploma

  New York Times

  A number of Liberty University alumni have vowed to return their diplomas, disgusted that the college president, Jerry Falwell Jr., praised President Trump’s response to the Charlottesville, Va., tragedy. I understand the feelings behind their impulse; I, too, am completely appalled by Mr. Falwell’s statements and continued support of the president. But I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Liberty, and I can say with confidence that Jerry Falwell Jr.’s disappointing stances do not reflect the guiding ethics of the school. He is an outward-facing figurehead, with minimal involvement with the student body. Returning my diploma would be giving him more influence over Liberty’s future than he deserves.

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Acts of Faith: ‘Just a little touching.' My own pastor excused my sexual assault

  Washington Post

  The message in some churches may be wrong, but the message of Christianity is right: My faith insists that my body is flesh and blood, animated with the breath of life, and instilled in that moment with an imprint of God. My body is made in the glorious image of God Donald Trump has never assaulted me, but men with his sense of entitlement have. What’s even worse: The church that should have been my shelter instead armed these men with ready-made excuses for their behavior.

• Why I’m Not Returning My Liberty University Diploma

  New York Times

  A number of Liberty University alumni have vowed to return their diplomas, disgusted that the college president, Jerry Falwell Jr., praised President Trump’s response to the Charlottesville, Va., tragedy. I understand the feelings behind their impulse; I, too, am completely appalled by Mr. Falwell’s statements and continued support of the president. But I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Liberty, and I can say with confidence that Jerry Falwell Jr.’s disappointing stances do not reflect the guiding ethics of the school. He is an outward-facing figurehead, with minimal involvement with the student body. Returning my diploma would be giving him more influence over Liberty’s future than he deserves.

• The Aftermath of Abuse: Recovering from sexual assault is possible.

  Christianity Today

  Every single case of sexual assault or sexual abuse is an opportunity for God to show his plan for redemption in all things. But how is this story written? What steps should you take if, after surviving sexual abuse, you begin to self-destruct or sabotage all of your closest relationships?

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Acts of Faith: ‘Just a little touching.' My own pastor excused my sexual assault

  Washington Post

  The message in some churches may be wrong, but the message of Christianity is right: My faith insists that my body is flesh and blood, animated with the breath of life, and instilled in that moment with an imprint of God. My body is made in the glorious image of God Donald Trump has never assaulted me, but men with his sense of entitlement have. What’s even worse: The church that should have been my shelter instead armed these men with ready-made excuses for their behavior.

• Why I’m Not Returning My Liberty University Diploma

  New York Times

  A number of Liberty University alumni have vowed to return their diplomas, disgusted that the college president, Jerry Falwell Jr., praised President Trump’s response to the Charlottesville, Va., tragedy. I understand the feelings behind their impulse; I, too, am completely appalled by Mr. Falwell’s statements and continued support of the president. But I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Liberty, and I can say with confidence that Jerry Falwell Jr.’s disappointing stances do not reflect the guiding ethics of the school. He is an outward-facing figurehead, with minimal involvement with the student body. Returning my diploma would be giving him more influence over Liberty’s future than he deserves.

• The Aftermath of Abuse: Recovering from sexual assault is possible.

  Christianity Today

  Every single case of sexual assault or sexual abuse is an opportunity for God to show his plan for redemption in all things. But how is this story written? What steps should you take if, after surviving sexual abuse, you begin to self-destruct or sabotage all of your closest relationships?

• Party of One: Truth, Longing, and the Subtle Art of Singleness

  Thomas Nelson

  Did you enter adulthood thinking marriage would naturally find you, only to end up at a second-cousin’s wedding, dodging yet another bouquet the night before you turned thirty? Maybe you’ve started wondering, is this the best the single life has to offer? With humor, self-awareness, and been-there perspective, Party of One delves into the insecurities and struggles of singleness and encourages you to find the good, the true, and the beautiful, to dive headfirst into community, and to stop pressing pause on a life you never expected.

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Acts of Faith: ‘Just a little touching.' My own pastor excused my sexual assault

  Washington Post

  The message in some churches may be wrong, but the message of Christianity is right: My faith insists that my body is flesh and blood, animated with the breath of life, and instilled in that moment with an imprint of God. My body is made in the glorious image of God Donald Trump has never assaulted me, but men with his sense of entitlement have. What’s even worse: The church that should have been my shelter instead armed these men with ready-made excuses for their behavior.

• Why I’m Not Returning My Liberty University Diploma

  New York Times

  A number of Liberty University alumni have vowed to return their diplomas, disgusted that the college president, Jerry Falwell Jr., praised President Trump’s response to the Charlottesville, Va., tragedy. I understand the feelings behind their impulse; I, too, am completely appalled by Mr. Falwell’s statements and continued support of the president. But I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Liberty, and I can say with confidence that Jerry Falwell Jr.’s disappointing stances do not reflect the guiding ethics of the school. He is an outward-facing figurehead, with minimal involvement with the student body. Returning my diploma would be giving him more influence over Liberty’s future than he deserves.

• The Aftermath of Abuse: Recovering from sexual assault is possible.

  Christianity Today

  Every single case of sexual assault or sexual abuse is an opportunity for God to show his plan for redemption in all things. But how is this story written? What steps should you take if, after surviving sexual abuse, you begin to self-destruct or sabotage all of your closest relationships?

• Party of One: Truth, Longing, and the Subtle Art of Singleness

  Thomas Nelson

  Did you enter adulthood thinking marriage would naturally find you, only to end up at a second-cousin’s wedding, dodging yet another bouquet the night before you turned thirty? Maybe you’ve started wondering, is this the best the single life has to offer? With humor, self-awareness, and been-there perspective, Party of One delves into the insecurities and struggles of singleness and encourages you to find the good, the true, and the beautiful, to dive headfirst into community, and to stop pressing pause on a life you never expected.

• Acts of Faith: Fat. Single. Christian. In church, being overweight and dating feels like a sin.

  Washington Post

  Dating is not easy. Dating as an overweight woman can be more difficult. Dating as an overweight conservative Christian woman seems impossible. For men, it’s a buyer’s market. With the surplus of godly, talented, accomplished Christian women, men can afford to be pickier, holding tightly to standards of physical attraction, sense of humor, similar interests, all the way to taste in coffee. Women, on the other hand, have narrowed down their lists primarily to non-negotiables: growing in the Lord, bathing regularly. That’s it.

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Acts of Faith: ‘Just a little touching.' My own pastor excused my sexual assault

  Washington Post

  The message in some churches may be wrong, but the message of Christianity is right: My faith insists that my body is flesh and blood, animated with the breath of life, and instilled in that moment with an imprint of God. My body is made in the glorious image of God Donald Trump has never assaulted me, but men with his sense of entitlement have. What’s even worse: The church that should have been my shelter instead armed these men with ready-made excuses for their behavior.

• Why I’m Not Returning My Liberty University Diploma

  New York Times

  A number of Liberty University alumni have vowed to return their diplomas, disgusted that the college president, Jerry Falwell Jr., praised President Trump’s response to the Charlottesville, Va., tragedy. I understand the feelings behind their impulse; I, too, am completely appalled by Mr. Falwell’s statements and continued support of the president. But I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Liberty, and I can say with confidence that Jerry Falwell Jr.’s disappointing stances do not reflect the guiding ethics of the school. He is an outward-facing figurehead, with minimal involvement with the student body. Returning my diploma would be giving him more influence over Liberty’s future than he deserves.

• The Aftermath of Abuse: Recovering from sexual assault is possible.

  Christianity Today

  Every single case of sexual assault or sexual abuse is an opportunity for God to show his plan for redemption in all things. But how is this story written? What steps should you take if, after surviving sexual abuse, you begin to self-destruct or sabotage all of your closest relationships?

• Party of One: Truth, Longing, and the Subtle Art of Singleness

  Thomas Nelson

  Did you enter adulthood thinking marriage would naturally find you, only to end up at a second-cousin’s wedding, dodging yet another bouquet the night before you turned thirty? Maybe you’ve started wondering, is this the best the single life has to offer? With humor, self-awareness, and been-there perspective, Party of One delves into the insecurities and struggles of singleness and encourages you to find the good, the true, and the beautiful, to dive headfirst into community, and to stop pressing pause on a life you never expected.

• Acts of Faith: Fat. Single. Christian. In church, being overweight and dating feels like a sin.

  Washington Post

  Dating is not easy. Dating as an overweight woman can be more difficult. Dating as an overweight conservative Christian woman seems impossible. For men, it’s a buyer’s market. With the surplus of godly, talented, accomplished Christian women, men can afford to be pickier, holding tightly to standards of physical attraction, sense of humor, similar interests, all the way to taste in coffee. Women, on the other hand, have narrowed down their lists primarily to non-negotiables: growing in the Lord, bathing regularly. That’s it.

• The Hard Truth About Mr. Right

  Christianity Today

  I don’t know if you feel this way, but one of my largest struggles is that now it seems people are only as valuable as they are marriageable. Some days it feels like once a guy knows you’re not wife material, he decides you’re not worth knowing at all.

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Acts of Faith: ‘Just a little touching.' My own pastor excused my sexual assault

  Washington Post

  The message in some churches may be wrong, but the message of Christianity is right: My faith insists that my body is flesh and blood, animated with the breath of life, and instilled in that moment with an imprint of God. My body is made in the glorious image of God Donald Trump has never assaulted me, but men with his sense of entitlement have. What’s even worse: The church that should have been my shelter instead armed these men with ready-made excuses for their behavior.

• Why I’m Not Returning My Liberty University Diploma

  New York Times

  A number of Liberty University alumni have vowed to return their diplomas, disgusted that the college president, Jerry Falwell Jr., praised President Trump’s response to the Charlottesville, Va., tragedy. I understand the feelings behind their impulse; I, too, am completely appalled by Mr. Falwell’s statements and continued support of the president. But I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Liberty, and I can say with confidence that Jerry Falwell Jr.’s disappointing stances do not reflect the guiding ethics of the school. He is an outward-facing figurehead, with minimal involvement with the student body. Returning my diploma would be giving him more influence over Liberty’s future than he deserves.

• The Aftermath of Abuse: Recovering from sexual assault is possible.

  Christianity Today

  Every single case of sexual assault or sexual abuse is an opportunity for God to show his plan for redemption in all things. But how is this story written? What steps should you take if, after surviving sexual abuse, you begin to self-destruct or sabotage all of your closest relationships?

• Party of One: Truth, Longing, and the Subtle Art of Singleness

  Thomas Nelson

  Did you enter adulthood thinking marriage would naturally find you, only to end up at a second-cousin’s wedding, dodging yet another bouquet the night before you turned thirty? Maybe you’ve started wondering, is this the best the single life has to offer? With humor, self-awareness, and been-there perspective, Party of One delves into the insecurities and struggles of singleness and encourages you to find the good, the true, and the beautiful, to dive headfirst into community, and to stop pressing pause on a life you never expected.

• Acts of Faith: Fat. Single. Christian. In church, being overweight and dating feels like a sin.

  Washington Post

  Dating is not easy. Dating as an overweight woman can be more difficult. Dating as an overweight conservative Christian woman seems impossible. For men, it’s a buyer’s market. With the surplus of godly, talented, accomplished Christian women, men can afford to be pickier, holding tightly to standards of physical attraction, sense of humor, similar interests, all the way to taste in coffee. Women, on the other hand, have narrowed down their lists primarily to non-negotiables: growing in the Lord, bathing regularly. That’s it.

• The Hard Truth About Mr. Right

  Christianity Today

  I don’t know if you feel this way, but one of my largest struggles is that now it seems people are only as valuable as they are marriageable. Some days it feels like once a guy knows you’re not wife material, he decides you’re not worth knowing at all.

• 4 Things Beth Moore Taught Me About Writing

  Christianity Today

  By nearly every measure, Beth Moore is a powerhouse in our evangelical world. She’s prolific and popular, with dozens of books and Bible studies earning her spots on bestseller lists. She’s spoken at hundreds of conferences and hosts a weekly TV show. She's Beth Moore. When someone has that level of success (not to mention her perfect Texas hair), we’re bound to wonder if she could really be as wise and wonderful as she seems. So I was skeptical but hopeful as I stepped into the sold-out writers conference, Lit, hosted by her Living Proof Ministries a few weeks ago.

• Tolkien Would Have Appreciated ‘The Bachelor’ . . . Probably

  Christ and Pop Culture

  Perhaps, as long as we’re able to understand that reality TV very rarely depicts actual reality and that the glory of the finale is best seen as a parallel to the glory to come, it’s not such a bad way to spend a Monday night.

• Acts of Faith: ‘Just a little touching.' My own pastor excused my sexual assault

  Washington Post

  The message in some churches may be wrong, but the message of Christianity is right: My faith insists that my body is flesh and blood, animated with the breath of life, and instilled in that moment with an imprint of God. My body is made in the glorious image of God Donald Trump has never assaulted me, but men with his sense of entitlement have. What’s even worse: The church that should have been my shelter instead armed these men with ready-made excuses for their behavior.

• Why I’m Not Returning My Liberty University Diploma

  New York Times

  A number of Liberty University alumni have vowed to return their diplomas, disgusted that the college president, Jerry Falwell Jr., praised President Trump’s response to the Charlottesville, Va., tragedy. I understand the feelings behind their impulse; I, too, am completely appalled by Mr. Falwell’s statements and continued support of the president. But I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Liberty, and I can say with confidence that Jerry Falwell Jr.’s disappointing stances do not reflect the guiding ethics of the school. He is an outward-facing figurehead, with minimal involvement with the student body. Returning my diploma would be giving him more influence over Liberty’s future than he deserves.

• The Aftermath of Abuse: Recovering from sexual assault is possible.

  Christianity Today

  Every single case of sexual assault or sexual abuse is an opportunity for God to show his plan for redemption in all things. But how is this story written? What steps should you take if, after surviving sexual abuse, you begin to self-destruct or sabotage all of your closest relationships?

• Party of One: Truth, Longing, and the Subtle Art of Singleness

  Thomas Nelson

  Did you enter adulthood thinking marriage would naturally find you, only to end up at a second-cousin’s wedding, dodging yet another bouquet the night before you turned thirty? Maybe you’ve started wondering, is this the best the single life has to offer? With humor, self-awareness, and been-there perspective, Party of One delves into the insecurities and struggles of singleness and encourages you to find the good, the true, and the beautiful, to dive headfirst into community, and to stop pressing pause on a life you never expected.

• Acts of Faith: Fat. Single. Christian. In church, being overweight and dating feels like a sin.

  Washington Post

  Dating is not easy. Dating as an overweight woman can be more difficult. Dating as an overweight conservative Christian woman seems impossible. For men, it’s a buyer’s market. With the surplus of godly, talented, accomplished Christian women, men can afford to be pickier, holding tightly to standards of physical attraction, sense of humor, similar interests, all the way to taste in coffee. Women, on the other hand, have narrowed down their lists primarily to non-negotiables: growing in the Lord, bathing regularly. That’s it.

• The Hard Truth About Mr. Right

  Christianity Today

  I don’t know if you feel this way, but one of my largest struggles is that now it seems people are only as valuable as they are marriageable. Some days it feels like once a guy knows you’re not wife material, he decides you’re not worth knowing at all.

• 4 Things Beth Moore Taught Me About Writing

  Christianity Today

  By nearly every measure, Beth Moore is a powerhouse in our evangelical world. She’s prolific and popular, with dozens of books and Bible studies earning her spots on bestseller lists. She’s spoken at hundreds of conferences and hosts a weekly TV show. She's Beth Moore. When someone has that level of success (not to mention her perfect Texas hair), we’re bound to wonder if she could really be as wise and wonderful as she seems. So I was skeptical but hopeful as I stepped into the sold-out writers conference, Lit, hosted by her Living Proof Ministries a few weeks ago.

• Flying Solo in a Family-Centered Church

  Christianity Today

  This was never the life I imagined. My friends and I often sit around wondering how we got here. What boys did we pass up? What mistakes did we make? What routines did we neglect, leaving us sleeping alone while the ticking of our biological clocks lulls us into fitful dreams? I don’t feel equipped for singleness. All the youth group dating advice was predicated on the idea that marriage was in my future, that if I made all the right choices, kept myself pure, and sought after God, he would reward me with a husband. I’ve only recently gotten to a place where I can ask myself, But what if he doesn’t?