Phoebe Barron

Phoebe Barron

The Meta-Narrative of Scripture

The Meta-Narrative of Scripture

As a child, I loved the felt board in Sunday School. Really, the physics of a piece of magazine-like paper sticking to a vertical surface is what interested me the most. But those felt board pictures stuck in my mind too. They taught me the compartmentalized stories of certain people from particular stories in the Bible. Short stories are a great way to teach children, but we all need to grow into an understanding of the Bible for formation not just information. Seeing the overarching “metanarrative” (or big picture) of Scripture is a great first step beyond reading the Bible for information. Here I’ll cover creation, fall, and salvation (redemption), but know that consummation (restoration when Jesus returns) is also included in the meta-narrative.

Reconciling Relationships with Christ and Others

Reconciling Relationships with Christ and Others

Have you ever been the new girl somewhere? I’m not talking like in college where you are in a huge mix of others who are also new. I’m talking about when you walk into an established group with their preexisting friendships, history, and way of doing things. This can be very intimidating. Have you ever been a part of the group receiving new people? That can be awkward too. Will they like me and want to come back to our group? Who am I to go introduce myself to them like I’m someone special to know? How will they change our group dynamics? 

Personal Growth

Personal Growth

Sometimes the phrase “personal growth” gets a bad reputation in Christian spheres. It sounds too self-reliant or worldly to be something God would want us to do. But spiritual growth cannot be separated from growing emotionally and mentally, nor can we separate it from taking care of our bodies. God made us whole people: mind, body and spirit. We cannot neglect our own growth as we care and minister to the needs of our families and communities. 2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that we are all ministers charged with bringing the reconciliation of Christ to the world. But we cannot carry this load to the detriment of ourselves. 

Self Care Ain’t All Manis and Massages

Self Care Ain’t All Manis and Massages

Sometimes self care can get a bad reputation, especially in the Christian world. “Aren’t we supposed to serve others?” “Shouldn’t I think of others before myself?” These are common questions I get asked when helping women move towards prioritizing themselves so they no longer feel overwhelmed wanting to escape and numb their lives.

The Missed Steps of Successful Goal Keeping

The Missed Steps of Successful Goal Keeping

Right now we are being inundated with advertising trying to sell us the secret to everything from weight loss, relationships, meditation, time management, and happiness itself. Marketers know that people often feel stuck in old habits and are looking for help in the new year. But what if we have it backwards. What if we need to look backwards and inwards before we look forward and reach outwards for help?

Vulnerability

Vulnerability

Vulnerability. Do you shudder when you hear the word? Does your stomach drop like you’re on some terrible roller coaster? Vulnerability researcher, Brene’ Brown, defines vulnerability as: uncertainty, risk, emotional exposure. Nobody likes emotional exposure when the outcome is uncertain. But there is no intimacy without vulnerability.

Thank You, Lord, For Your Faithfulness

Thank You, Lord, For Your Faithfulness

Faithfulness is a word often used, but rarely defined in Christian circles. A quick google search will tell you that faithfulness is a firm or even unfailing devotion. It’s hard to believe that God is firmly devoted to us, though, when we’re in the midst of a difficult circumstance that he could miraculously change, yet doesn’t. What if God’s faithfulness is not primarily a statement describing his relationship to us, but a character quality of himself?

Toxic Community

Toxic Community

Toxic community.

After writing my outline for this article, I happened to turn on Hamilton’s “You’ll Be Back” (performed by King George III) sitting in the car line so I could surprise my first grader with her favorite song from the musical. While sillily singing along, it hit me, this song has all the elements of a toxic community that I had just outlined: gaslighting, misuse of power, and possessiveness.

FIND YOUR SPOT!

Take Our Survey!