It was the hottest day of the year in St. Louis, Missouri. The sun’s rays beamed strong as my knees pressed into the soft dirt, surrounded by a jungle of plants and trees. My youth group and I were doing mission work by helping the community, and we were spread out all over the city. Some were playing with children at a daycare, others were evangelizing downtown, and a few of us were spreading mulch at a park. And there I was, with the gardener. She was a sweet, elderly woma

This past summer, I had the opportunity to do something I had never done before. It had been my third summer traveling with a camp ministry that I love dearly and we were spending the week in a small town under the hot Georgia sun. My friends and I had planned a staff bonding experience and what we chose to lead the team in was a time of worship and reflection by washing each other’s feet. While I knew it was going to be such a special moment, part of me was a bit hesitant. I

For a martyred heart, death has already occurred. The turning away from the empty, fleshly desires that desperately crave, mouthwatering...