Mosaic (Nov 7)

The front door swings open. She drops her backpack with a discouraged huff.

I step toward her, smiling, words gentle enough to steady her frustration.

“She says she won’t be my friend anymore if I’m friends with the new girl.”

Tears and hugs follow. I exhale my own quiet frustration.

Childhood power struggles at their finest.

You raise your kids to see the outsider, to notice the lonely, to comfort the hurting—yet when kindness prevails, adversity often follows.

Soothing her hurt with words of encouragement and prayer, my own heart whispers a lament—Lord, why can’t girls just all be friends??!!

We long for our kids to reflect God’s heart—devoted to Him, gracious toward others.

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1).

The kindness she shows her new friend doesn’t always reach her brother.  No, when it comes to armour vs party hats they charge into battle fully equipped every time. 

No relationship is immune from conflict. Not marriage, not siblings, not colleagues. Whether sparked by sin or simple preference, Scripture reminds us that the breeding ground for conflict lies in the cesspool of our own selfish desires.

So, what are the passions waging war within you?

We crave and compare. We desire and demand. We lust and long after what is not ours.

Even as followers of Christ, we’re prone to spiritual adultery—wooed by friendship with the world. At first glance, friendship doesn’t sound so bad. My daughter simply wanted to be friends with both girls. It feels kind, caring, open.

But holiness tells a different story.

“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4)

The “world” here doesn’t mean the good gifts God gives us to enjoy. It refers to the realm of darkness—Satan’s dominion—where sin reigns and hearts rebel against God. William Greenhill described it as “the pomp and splendor of the world, which Satan makes use of to further his kingdom and interest as well as to hinder the kingdom and interest of Christ.” (Stop Loving the World)

There is no peaceful coexistence between these kingdoms.

The world exalts self—self-indulgence, self-sufficiency, self-glory, self-fulfillment, self-satisfaction.

Christ calls us to the opposite way: sacrifice, surrender, submission. The glory of God and the good of others.

As we recognize how easily our desires are caught by the world’s invitation to friendship, the gospel meets us with a call to turn back—because “he gives more grace” (James 4:6).

We return beneath his wing through surrender and drawing near, through sorrowful repentance and steady resistance. God doesn’t leave us to battle alone; he lifts the humble, restores the contrite, and renews our hearts to love him first.

In a world that prizes self above all, how might you practice friendship with God today?

On the Blog

(I guess technically this one is on Substack)

On My Shelf

If my books had feelings, they might be wondering if I’ve forgotten them. The theme this month? Slow and steady.

• I’m still making my way through two James commentaries for Bible study (this commentary and this one), and Babel by R.F. Kuang keeps pulling me back with its blend of fantasy, history, and language.

• Also still tucked in my reading stack: Fruitful and A Place For You. Let’s just say my commentary reading has been winning lately.

In Articles

Chronically Wasting Away, Continually Renewed | Brittany Allen (GCD)

"This is our hope: Our earthly tents are tearing apart, wasting away and will eventually die. But God is keeping our souls." If you struggle with your body not working like it should, find encouragement here.

The Radical Generosity of Jesus | Jacob Crouch

"The radical generosity of Jesus compels us to radical generosity ourselves." Jacob challenges us to consider whether radical describes our own generosity—and reminds us that true generosity flows not from guilt or obligation but from the unsearchable riches we have in Christ.

The Moment That Changed My Life Forever | Jana Carlson

"I grew up in church, read my Bible, and tried to live a godly life—but something was missing. It wasn't until years later, through heartbreak and hardship, that I discovered the joy of truly knowing God." Praise God for the wonder and joy of the good news!

Help My Unbelief | Daniel Darling

When life is in a season of changes and worry creeps in, Daniel holds onto the father's prayer in Mark 9, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."

I Wish I Could Go Back | Brianna Lambert

"Besides maturity and parental wisdom, the Lord has grown me spiritually since that time. I understand more of his nature, his word and the hope of the gospel. I'm not sure I said anything terribly wrong to my students, but my regret lies in all that I didn't say." Brianna reflects on the ache of hindsight—the words we wish we’d spoken, the grace we wish we’d better understood. She invites us to bring those memories before the Lord, trusting Him to redeem what we lacked and to grow fruit from even our imperfect past.