The Blog
Truth found in unexpected places
The Pop Culture I’m Thankful for in 2022
As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, I’m reflecting on the things of pop culture I’m thankful for this year. Sure, movies and TV shows, music and books are for fun (and that is okay!!), but often they also have a deeper meaning for us. So let’s talk about the things that have enriched our lives, taught us something new, or just helped us get through the hard spots. I do share a few of these in episode 141 of The Couch Podcast, but this list is the overflow because once I started counting gifts and gratitude, I couldn’t stop!
12 Hallmark Movies to Give You All the Fall Feels
It will probably come as no surprise that I also adore the specifically autumnal Hallmark movies. You know, the ones with pumpkins on every surface and colorful leaves randomly falling in the background like perfectly timed snow in another season’s movies? Yes, those are the ones. If you’re looking for a Hallmark movie to give you fall feels, here are a dozen to choose from!
When Emotions Are Contagious—and That’s a Good Thing
That evening has stuck with me and has come to mind several times since. And each time, I’ve felt thankful. I often pick up and absorb other people’s emotions, but it’s not always such a positive experience. As an empath (someone who detects and sometimes even takes on other people’s emotions more often and more intensely than others), I’ve at times found myself consumed by the negative emotions someone else is experiencing and unable to easily recalibrate my own feelings.
When the Phone Rings in the Middle of the Night
Nobody calls in the middle of the night with good news. My normally innocent ringtone turned ominous the moment it broke the silence and woke me from a sound sleep. After being startled awake in that manner, I wasn’t even surprised to hear sobbing when I finally...
Stargazing, Self-Worth, and Shouting at the Sky
You’re here, and you matter.
You’re here, and I am so glad you are.
You’re here, and I see you.
But more importantly, God sees you.
Whether you shout or whisper, win or lose, God sees you, and He calls you His beloved child.
The 10 Best Movies from Virtual Movie Night (or How I Hosted 51 Girls Nights in 2021)
For the past nearly 100 weeks, I’ve been hosting Wednesday Movie Night for anyone who wants to join. Most weeks it’s the same core group of women who have become some of my favorite and closest friends, but for now at least, I’m keeping it open to all members of The Couch Facebook Group. Every Wednesday night, we “meet” up online to watch a movie—great ones and not-so-great ones (which are honestly sometimes the most fun). Here are our faves from 2021…
My Favorite New Movies of 2021
The world is weird, I didn’t see nearly all the movies I wanted to in 2021. Maybe you can relate? So this post will be a list of my favorite movies from the past year, both in theaters and on a streaming service—but I’ll also tell you about the movies I haven’t seen that I still want to! Let’s go…
The Best & Worst Holiday Movies of 2021
Though I will probably watch a few more movies, I don’t anticipate any of them landing at the top of my list for the year. So today I’m bringing you my top 10 favorite Hallmark movies, top 10 favorite Lifetime movies, top 5 “other” movies, and the movies that landed on the bottom of my list. You can see my whole list, ranked in order that may or may not change every time I look at it, at Letterboxd. Here goes…
When You Actually Need to Let Jesus Take the Wheel
time with my family in close quarters. I didn’t anticipate seeing Him and His Truth in the in-between and small moments. But like He so often does, that’s where He showed up for me most.
When You Can’t Even Get Mad Anymore
While my anger has come from a holy place, burning with indignation when God’s children are mistreated and harmed, I’m beginning to realize that anger was just the first layer and perhaps even a symptom of what was going on below the surface. As my rage has given way to grief, I’m starting to understand that sadness is really at the root of my reactions.
25 Lifetime Holiday Movies on Sale for Less Than a Dollar
Love holiday movies? Then check out this list of 25 Lifetime Christmas movies on sale for less than a dollar!
The 15 Books That Have Changed My Life (So Far)
Can a book change your life? This is a question I asked in episode 88 of The Couch Podcast. In a conversation with my friend Shannan Martin, we decided that we think yes, books can change our lives. But sometimes they change our lives for a season and sometimes they change them forever. Sometimes they change our hearts but it takes a few more steps or resources or years before our lives are tangibly changed. Here’s a longer list of books that have changed my life (so far).