Posts in Culture
How Caring for Children Changes the World
How Caring for Children Changes the World

The beginning of the book of Exodus is hard not to enjoy. With the burning bush, the Nile turning to blood, the dramatic exit through the Red Sea, what's not to love? With so many big events, it's easy to miss the details. Details like the fact that most of the main characters in the first two chapters are women. Each one of them acts in the interest of children, even when their own safety is threatened. Without these five women, Israel's story of redemption doesn't happen. Without these five women, Moses doesn't survive the infanticide occurring in Egypt, and there is no leader to be God's instrument of deliverance.

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Family, Knowing the Word, Parenting, Home Life, Culture, Value the OrdinaryKelly NeedhamJesus, Moses, Pregnancy, Adoption, Children, all good things
The Sabbath: The Antidote for Achievement-Addicts
The Sabbath: The Antidote for Achievement-Addicts

At the first snow of manna in Exodus 16, God introduces His people to a Sabbath day. Two-and-a-half months after leaving their former slave drivers, God's people hear an odd command from their new Master—rest. Though we might not be slaves, our present culture prizes productivity so highly that taking a day off also sounds absurd. "Maybe God meant take a rest from my normal work and do a different kind of work. I can't just waste time."

To be honest, this is exactly how I think. If making to-do lists was a viable hobby, it would be mine. I treat productivity like a sport, seeing if I can beat my previous record of tasks completed in one day. Sad but true.

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Faith, Knowing the Word, Home Life, Culture, Knowing GodKelly Needhamfeatured, Productivity, Rest, Spiritual Discipline, Sanctification
So you want to do something great for God...
So you want to do something great for God...

I see my generation on the other side of their childhood dreams, entering their 30s somewhat disillusioned. For some working 9-to-5 jobs, the greatest success is keeping the bills paid and the boss happy. For many moms, the biggest accomplishment of the week is a clean kitchen and 15 minutes of Bible reading. Others did some "great" things for God right after college... 2 year mission trips, interning in a ministry, striving to hit it big as a [fill-in-the-blank-with-ministry-job], but seeing that work dwindle they are wondering what's next. So much for changing the world for Jesus. Spiritual gifts and noble desires sit on the shelf unused, itching to find an outlet to prove their effectiveness while whispers of what could have been hang in the air.

I want to pose a very important question. A question my soul needs answered every day. Does God want us to do something great for Him?

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Ministry, Knowing the Word, Parenting, Home Life, Culture, Knowing God, Value the OrdinaryKelly NeedhamCulture, featured, Ministry, Moses, motherhood, obedience, the Kingdom of God, Know the Word, Pride & Humility, all good things
How to Handle the Stage: 5 Lessons from John the Baptist
How to Handle the Stage: 5 Lessons from John the Baptist

Most stages today aren't like the ones in your old high school auditorium. A stage can be anything that creates an audience for you. Twitter and Instagram, blogs and YouTube channels, websites and books are all forms of stages. Through these online avenues, you can now create your own audience with little to no risk at all. You don't have to stare people in the eyes from your stage. It can be a stage on your own terms. In addition to the easy access to a stage, our culture celebrates audience building. Wowed by those who've made it to the top, many long to join the ranks of those vloggers and bloggers with millions of followers. But for those who follow the Jesus who taught us that true greatness is servanthood (Mark 10:43–45), is it ever okay to pursue a stage? To promote a blog? To write a book? To seek out new followers? If the stage is so dangerous for our hearts, how do we view platforms we might already have?

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Ministry, Knowing the Word, Culture, Knowing God, My LifeKelly NeedhamClear the Stage, John the Baptist, Pride & Humility, Jimmy Needham, Sin
Left Out: The Benefits of Exclusion
Left Out: The Benefits of Exclusion

Being left out will always be a litmus test for pride. As soon as you realize you didn’t get the invite, you aren’t in the inner circle, or you are on the outside, one of two responses happen. The first is the most common: hurt, disappointment, and/or anger. Under those surface feelings are deep roots of entitlement (a.k.a. pride). A feeling that you deserve to be included or that you have merited inclusion. Or that you are owed the opportunity to be included, assuming that it's the fair thing to do. But our God isn't fair, mercifully so (read more about that here). We live under grace and that changes the game.

To boil it down, being included is about being honored. Like the kids picked first for the kickball team, being chosen for any group is position of honor. No one wants to be last on the team, or worst of all, not picked at all. We want the places of honor.

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Faith, Knowing the Word, Culture, Knowing God, CommunityKelly Needhamhonor, servant, Pride & Humility, Loneliness, Faith
A Jesus-Heart for Children, Part 3
A Jesus-Heart for Children, Part 3

I have often found that there are 2 specific topics that come up a lot as I meet with young wives and felt were worth tackling: birth control and child care.

These are sensitive topics for sure, controversial even, and there are many factors that play into every individual’s decision. But too often, these decisions are made from attitudes and motives that have been shaped by our culture, instead of the Word of God.

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Faith, Womandhood, Knowing the Word, Parenting, Home Life, CultureKelly Needhammotherhood, the Kingdom of God, Birth Control, Womanhood, Children
[Friendship Gone Wrong] The Trend of Romanticization
[Friendship Gone Wrong] The Trend of Romanticization

BFFs have become the new couple. Can’t find a boyfriend? Just get a best friend. Emotionally, a best friend can now fulfill all the same things a boyfriend can. It may feel like your best friend is the only person who truly gets you. She can make you feel loved, give you somewhere to belong, and make you feel needed. Your BFF can easily become a placeholder until you get that boyfriend or husband you’ve always wanted.

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Friendship, Knowing the Word, Culture, Marriage, Knowing GodKelly NeedhamCulture, Friendship, marriage, Romance, Best Friends, Thought Life