Uncategorized

Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? He is Risen; He is Risen Indeed!

Every year my wife and I cast aside the suburban shackles and do something that in our world is truly adventurous: a six hundred mile road trip to GeeGee’s house with an SUV full of kids. From the windows of our traveling roadshow we enjoy the skyscrapers of Dallas, the Cracker Barrel of Abilene, the windmills of Sweetwater, the corny dogs of Post, and of course the aliens of Area 51, Roswell, NM. Ever been to Roswell? There are t-shirt shops, hotels, souvenirs, alien burgers, all based on a tale that ET landed and the USA covered it up.

Every year around this time. My mailbox fills up with postcards inviting me to easter egg hunts, walkthrough adventures, iPad giveaways, and church services. There are musicals, movies, parties, dresses, bonnets, baskets, waxy eggs with hardened sugar inside and chocolate rabbits with creepy little edible eyes. All of this activity is based on the tale that 2000 years ago a man named Jesus died and rose again.

It leads me to a simple question: Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

Christian or not, it’s a question with which we all must grapple. Jesus is easily the most influential man who’s ever lived. His impact on government, art, education, social justice, architecture, healthcare, law, and faith are indisputable. Impactful? absolutely! But the greatness of Jesus hinges on the question of Easter. Did Jesus really rise from the dead? After all, Jesus’ big claim to fame was that he is the Son of God and that he would prove this by dying and rising again.

Let’s consider some of the common “conspiracy theories” about the resurrection:

The Swoon Conspiracy—believes that Jesus passed out on the cross and in the coldness of the tomb he was revived. Essentially, he broke out, killed the Roman soldiers, and appeared to his followers. As loony as this sounds, many have fallen for the swoon. But, if there was one thing that Rome did really well it was kill people. Furthermore, how could a man who was whipped and crucified move a massive stone and overcome armed soldiers?

The Directionally Challenged Conspiracy—believes that the women who reported the resurrection went to the wrong tomb. Now this may be more believable if it had been men and not women who discovered the empty tomb. Everybody knows, men are usually too stubborn to stop and asks directions when they get lost!  But had the empty tomb been the result of poor navigating, the Romans could have easily produced the body; interesting, no one has ever produced the body.

The Every Body’s Tripping Conspiracy—believes that all the people who saw Jesus were hallucinating. Perhaps, the feast had a Woodstock theme that year or something? Had it been one or two people that claimed to see Christ then maybe. But over 500 people at different times claimed to have seen Christ. People touched him and talked to him over a 40-day period of time.

The Thieves Conspiracy—believes that someone stole the body and started a rumor that Jesus rose from the dead. Well, this is more conceivable than the others conspiracies. But still it is vastly lacking. Who would want to steal Jesus’ body? The Jewish leaders and the Romans had no motive. The apostles had lacked courage: from Gethsemane through the cross they were running for their lives. Yet, these are the men who are supposed to have found the courage to overcome the guards, steal the body and begin the church movement?

Now, let’s consider some evidence that Jesus really did rise from the dead:

The tomb was empty—this was no small feat. After all there were Roman soldiers guarding the tomb and a seal protecting it. To this day no one has ever produced the body or remains of Jesus.

Hundreds of witnesses—I Corinthians 15:3-8 relates that over 500 people saw Jesus and many of these continued to share their testimony for years to come.

Radical change in the disciples lives—Following the horrific crucifixion, the natural thing for the apostles to do was go home, keep a low profile, and get back to fishing. Instead they went all over the world preaching the resurrection. Their testimony dramatically changed the Roman world and was foundational in the establishment of the church.

The disciple’s deaths—History reveals that most of the disciples died torturous deaths. They were crucified, boiled in oil, and torn to pieces. Look, there is only so far you take a lie. When the threat of nails and a crossbeam comes your way, if you’re telling a lie, you back away. But the disciples died proclaiming the resurrected Jesus until their final breath.

Is it reasonable to believe that Jesus really did rise from the dead? Absolutely! Now I realize that not everyone will believe. But that doesn’t change the fact that there is ample evidence to believe. It also doesn’t change the reality that Jesus has impacted the world to such a degree that anyone with intellect must wrestle with the veracity of his claims.

Millions of people over thousands of years have surrendered their souls and believed in Jesus Christ as savior and Lord. Christians believe that Jesus is the eternal son of God, born of a virgin, perfectly revealed and without sin. Christians believe that Jesus died as a substitute for sinners, making atonement for sin, and providing redemption for all who believe. Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead, appeared to his disciples, ascended to heaven and will one day return to judge the world and complete his redemptive mission.

Easter is a celebration of life. Not just any life but eternal life that is found in Jesus Christ.

He is Risen!
There are a lot of good books on reasonable reasons to believe in Christianity (apologetics).  One, easy to read, apologetic on the resurrection is Josh and Sean McDowell’s book Jesus is Alive!

The Divine Contrast

As I was preaching through Jesus’ life in the book of Luke, I was struck by the “divine contrast” that exists between Christ’s baptism and wilderness temptation. Last Sunday, I shared this writing at the end of my sermon entitled “Is It.”

In each of our lives the brushstrokes of God reveal the masterpiece of divine contrast. Carefully, He blends the cool refreshing blues of the baptism with the warm arid hues of the wilderness.

Whether in the refreshment of baptism or the dryness of the wilderness: two things about Jesus are apparent: His obedience and His humility.

When we are in the cool waters of baptism, it is easy to get puffed up in pride: to believe that God blessings are a result of our goodness rather than His grace, to shift our focus from His will to ours. It is in the cool waters of baptism that the compassionate heart is tempted to fill with judgment, relationship yields to ritual, exhorting words are replaced with venomous words, and the life of courageous risk fades to an apathetic life lived in spiritual opulence.

Yet those that find themselves in the wilderness do not escape the piercing rays of temptation themselves. It is the wilderness that we are tempted to lose sight of grace, obedience, and love. When we succumb to the wilderness’ temptation, we sleep in darkness: replacing grace with doubt, obedience with rebellion, and love with fear. Beneath the wilderness stars we are tempted to show our dissatisfaction with God by embracing a life of self-sufficiency. We forget that the church is God’s gift of community, and we bathe in the mirage of isolated loneliness believing that the path to living water belongs to others.

Yet, when we remember the humility and obedience of our savior:

That is when the refreshing waters of baptism open the floodgates of heaven. When we remember the humility and obedience of our savior, that is when we live our lives in the rhythm of Father’s will; that is when we swim in the flow of the Spirit’s current. The cool refreshing blues of baptism restore our soul, announce new chapters, submerge us to new depths, and carve for us a path of purpose.

And when we remember the humility and obedience of our savior:

The divine contrast of the wilderness becomes a tranquil spring of growth for our souls. We march through treacherous days beneath the cadence of our Father’s instruction. The warm arid hue of the wilderness stretches our soul, burns the master’s mark into the plot of our lives, bends our will, and prepares our heart for the day when the dryness of the wilderness becomes the floor of the refreshing river from which we emerge a humble and obedient child of the Father with a soul that dances to the rhythm of the Divine Contrast.

The Opportunity in Adversity

This post was first published on Southwestern Seminary’s blog: theologicalmatters.com

“Who needs a new roof?” was my simple question. My heart sank as I stood before the church I love and watched as virtually every hand in the room was raised. Hands continued to go up as I probed deeper—“How many have demolished cars?” and “How many of you cannot live in your home?”

Our community was reeling after enduring a once-in-a-lifetime hailstorm. Six days earlier, grapefruit-sized hailstones had rained down, ripping through people’s roofs, smashing windows, and destroying vehicles.

The days were difficult, but it was inspiring to watch the church be the church. Your missiology and ecclesiology are simplified when the ministry becomes boarding windows, sweeping glass, opening doors, preparing food, giving dollars, lifting prayers, and sharing hugs.

The questions people ask me are not so simple: “Why did this happen?” “Where is God in this?” “How is this loving?” When people ask questions of the soul, they need more than trite clichés and home-cooked casseroles. Deep questions cannot be silenced by a good theological clubbing from the church’s sovereignty bully (every church has at least one).

The reality is that we live on the fallen side of eternity. Creation is broken, and we live in a world of broken dreams, broken hearts, broken homes, broken lives, broken promises, broken relationships, broken bodies, and broken souls. Our relationships with one another and our relationship with God have been broken by sin. But God’s plan seeks to liberate what He creates. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:2 that “Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Our faith transcends the difficulty of our times and frees us to live in the hope “that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children” (Romans 8:21).

Much of what God is doing right now in your life, your family, your church, your community, your nation, and your world is beyond your finite ability to see it, hear it, touch it, or control it. God’s plan is more immense than what I can sense. Thinking theologically: God is sovereign over all. Hence, God either allows or dictates all that happens. All He allows or dictates must be within the authority of an all-powerful, benevolent God whose very nature defines love. Therefore, when God’s children experience adversity, we persevere, knowing that God’s love and wisdom ensure that, on the other side of the darkness, God is doing something holy and good. In every adversity, there is opportunity.

God often uses adversity to grow us closer to Him and closer to others. As we inventoried our adversity, we discovered the hailstorms had brought the gifts of opportunity. Through adversity we were given the opportunity to love our neighbor as we met needs, patched holes, and prayed for those in need. Adversity had given us the opportunity to express the genuineness of our faith. There is no greater beauty than the melody of adversity’s hymn as the church sings of God’s glory. Adversity had brought us a common story with a common need, giving us the opportunity to share the Gospel story and meet the deepest need.

Resting in God’s sovereignty is more than just trusting God for what I don’t know; resting in God’s sovereignty drives me to the comfort of God’s love and integrity. I rest in the knowledge that God always vindicates what He dictates. God’s will and His nature will always prove themselves to be true. The cross, the empty tomb, the Holy Spirit, and the converted heart all display themselves as testimonies to the truth that God is sovereign. It is our knowledge of God, His glorious goodness and sustaining strength that allow us to declare victory through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). It is our knowledge of God, His undeserved grace and inseparable love that persuade us to go forward in faith rather than retreat in fear (Romans 8:15, 38-39).

I am thankful for the incredible opportunity God gives me to live with His people on the fallen side of eternity. It turns out the once-in-a-lifetime moment is not the hailstorm; it is living life with people I love whose prized earthly possessions are full of holes, whose minds are full of questions, but whose hearts are full of praise for the One who loves us without end.
44393_4378203287864_1055242622_n
Dr. Banks serves as Lead Pastor of Murphy Road Baptist Church in Murphy, Texas. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Stacey and they have four children.

This is Church

Sunday morning when I asked, “Who is going to need a new roof?” virtually every hand in the room went up. I think we all can say, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” In the midst of adversity, there is always opportunity. I have been so inspired seeing the church love one another and love our neighbors during these times. Boarding windows, sweeping glass, opening doors, preparing food, giving dollars, lifting prayers, and sharing hugs: “this is church.”

How ca12512643_10209302675829480_5666941601308330611_nn you help? Well, there are several things you can do:

Love your neighbor—Spend some time walking down your street checking on and extending help to the people who live near you. You’ll be amazed at the friendships that can begin during difficult times.

#rebuildwylie—I spent the morning ministering in east Wylie today. The damage to people’s homes and cars will break your heart. I am very thankful for FBC Wylie and the love they are demonstrating in rebuilding Wylie. The rebuild will take some time. When you see or hear of a need, do what you can to meet it. Loving others is something you can do.

Pray—Every day take time to pray for those who have had their lives disrupted. Teach your children to pray for others, and pray for God’s power to sweep over our communities. God often uses difficult moments to reveal His power. There will be many questions, and there will be many who turn to God. Take delight in seeing God at work.

Worship—This Sunday I looked out and saw people worshiping God and resting in His goodness. In some cases, their cars were demolished and their homes were full of holes, but their faith remained. I was humbled to see such a display of genuine Christianity.

Be Thankful—We can replace roofs, windows, carpet, and cars, but we cannot replace the ones we love. Yes, we need a new roof, but thank God we have a roof under which to live. I give thanks to God that, though things have been damaged, we are okay.

Give—Our church maintains a benevolence fund to help with needs. We will use monies given to help those in our community. You may also be able to give meals, tools, time, and expertise to the cause.

Talk—As you go, talk to people. Ask them how they did during the storms. Everyone around you has a story. As you engage the people around you, I promise you will be blessed with opportunities to pray, serve, and lead people to the saving love of Christ.

I’m proud to be a part of this community and church. During the coming weeks, I will be preaching a series entitled the Opportunity of Adversity. I look forward to our times of worship. I look forward to hearing the stories of God. I look forward to seeing the church be the church.

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer Romans 12:12
Pastor Lash

Sometimes All You Need is One

Yesterday was an American holiday for some: “Opening Day” of baseball. My favorite team, the Texas Rangers, defeated the Mariners 3-2 which means their magic number is down to 161. The most impressive thing about the victory is the Rangers only had one hit. Ultimately, for that game, on that day, one hit was all that was needed.

This got me thinking about how often in life all we need is one. In our option filled society, we are enamored with the idea that much and more are always better and brighter. But, often, the beauty of life is found in seizing that one moment, seeing the smile of the one you love, laughing with your “one-anothers,” and worshiping the one true God.

You don’t need somebody else’s life to be happy. God has gifted you one life: live it.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Lash Banks is Lead Pastor at Murphy Road Baptist Church (murphychurch.com). Lash’s weekly podcast/sermon can be heard at http://www.buzzsprout.com/17504

The Collision of the Cross

Tonight our church gathers for Good Friday. We will remember what Jesus did for us through His atoning death on the cross and celebrate the new life that is found through His resurrection. I’ll be preaching on Philippians 2:8, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross,” As I meditated on Christ’s humility, I was reminded of the collision that is the cross:

The ringing of Calvary’s hammer is a collision of pride and love. The cross is necessary because of my pride, but it also necessary because of God’s love. The cross is a clumsy display of my hideous pride and a graceful display of God’s forgiving grace. On the cross, love is pierced by pride and grace is crowned by evil. On the cross pride drains the veins of love: drop by drop pride’s antidote puddles below. When His head bowed in death, pride raised his head in victory. But when the earth stood still and the tomb stood opened, it was pride that had died and love that was alive.

The antidote to pride is the cross. When I look upon the humility and love of the cross, I see the magnificence of His love for me and I have nothing left in which to boast. From the cross the purity of His righteousness shines into the corners of my heart exposing the darkness of my sin and contempt is poured on my pride. From the cross the glories of money, power, and fame lose their allure and my richest gain I count but lost. At the cross, my broken dreams, my manipulated relationships, my cold soul collide with love. When my pride surveys His love, I bow beneath the cross, my faith is transferred from me to Him, and the drops of grace cleanse me and make me fully whole. At the cross, pride dies and love comes alive.

Inspired by my favorite hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” by Sir Isaac Watts

Join us for Easter worship at 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00.  Details and directions at murphychurch.com 

6 Feet Forever: A Good Friday Devotional

6 Feet Forever: A Good Friday Devotional

Lash Banks's avatar

Just as the townspeople were finishing breakfast, word began to spread that Jesus had been arrested. Eternity’s trial was in session on the steps of Fort Antonia. Just outside the walls, two little boys, short of breath, ran back to their father, “Papa, it sounds like a riot is breaking out, the crowd is yelling, and the governor is trying to calm them!” “Stay close to me boys; we are going to stop here outside the walls until we know things have calmed down,” said Simon.

It was about 8:30, when the execution parade made its way past Simon and his boys. Their Passover journey had taken an unexpected turn. Instead of simply celebrating the Passover, Simon was now face to face with the Passover lamb. Simon Peter had boasted earlier that he was willing to die for Jesus. But now, as Jesus fell beneath the weight of the beam…

View original post 492 more words

Rescued

Tonight I begin leading a new Bible study through the book of Galatians.  The study-group meets from 6:30-7:30 on Wednesdays at Murphy Road Baptist Church.  Galatians is a goto book in the Bible for me, because it teaches me what it means to find freedom in Christ.  Take a look at the opening statement:

Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. 5 To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Have you ever been rescued from something? If so, you remember the overwhelming feelings of gratitude and joy when your liberator freed you from danger. The Bible says that Christ “rescued us from this present age “when he “gave Himself for our sins.” The vividness of this picture is a stark contrast to how we often envision salvation. Being rescued from evil, sin, and the shackles of this age is so much more than adding Christ to your life, getting dunked, finding religion, going to church, cleaning up your act, or knowing the ABC’s.

Repenting of sin and believing in Christ as Lord and Savior means all things become new: Christ rescues me from the prison of me. I am no longer shackled to my sins or confined the trap of the temporal. Instead of justice and law, God brings the freedom of grace. Instead of conflict and angst, the Father brings comfort and the calm of peace. Instead of chasing my glory to my grave, I exist for His glory forever and ever.

5 Gifts of Covenant Marriage

The Christian Scriptures begin with the words “In the beginning God created.” Before the first cup of coffee is finished in my reading of Genesis, the Scriptures reveal five gifts that for centuries have been the genesis to the Christian understanding of big questions like personhood, family556855_3584754975744_1232987464_n, sexuality, community and the beautiful gift of covenant marriage.

Gift 1—The Choice of Creation (Genesis 1:1–“In the beginning God created”)—The opening line of Christianity proclaims that life is not an accident; it is a gift. God designed it and infused it with purpose. Life is not merely a survival of the fittest quest toward nothingness: life has a divine purpose through which I find faith, hope, and love. I didn’t choose life; God chose to give me life.

Gift 2—The Complement of Gender (Genesis 1:27–“He created them male and female”)—Repeatedly, the Scriptures proclaim that humankind is created in the “image” of the creator: male and female. Human Beings are unique in that we seek the spiritual and search for deeper meanings. We communicate and create. Beyond the coldness of cause and effect, humanity seeks the beauty of art and the complexity of love. The simultaneous equivalency, distinctive, and complement of gender expand the reflection revealing more clearly what it means to be made in the image of God.

Gift 3—The Bond of Marriage (Genesis 2:24—“This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.”)—Marriage is the foundational human relationship through which family and community are built. Marriage compels a man and a woman to leave the homes of their youth and bond with one another in a life-long covenant. Marriage is a life-long covenant between husband, wife, and God, that unites them as one family.

Gift 4—Covenant Sexuality (Genesis 2:25—“Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame”)—Beyond drive, attraction, expression, or feeling, sexuality is an intimate display of the life-long, loving bond of marriage: a private renewing of public vows. It is mortal love’s most powerful act: bonding souls, expressing love, extending pleasure, and forming family. It exposes a couple’s mutual vulnerability and created compatibility revealing a passion that is not learned but instilled with divine intent.

Gift 5—Children (Genesis 1:28–“Be fruitful, multiply.”)—A beautiful baby lying gently in a mother’s arms is inherent to the Bible’s creation and redemption stories. New life is the product of divine creation; it is the destination of redemption and the action of His love. It is through new life that our past finds forgiveness, our present finds meaning, and our future finds hope. It is through new life that the ancient remains modern. Through the birth of a child, the stories of creation and love are readily seen. Through the welcoming of a child into the bond of family, the story of redemption is quietly proclaimed.

As a Christian, my belief in God and Jesus Christ as Savior is not a hobby or vehicle for political power. Nor, is it new thinking: the by-product of greater connectivity, mobility, and awareness. My faith is foundational to who I am as a person and grounded in centuries of heritage. I understand that not everyone is a Christian. But, religious or not, we all have a worldview; it’s how we process life’s ultimate questions: Where do I come from? Why am I here? What happens when I die? What should I value? How should I treat others?

For 2000 years, in the lives of millions, these page-one gifts have formed the fabric of how we understand marriage, family and community. They have been viewed as givens: inherent to the human experience and not to be unraveled. Today, there are many, even within Christianity, who feel that these gifts must be scorned or, at best, repackaged, for society to progress. But before pronouncing these gifts as ancient and irrelevant inviting them to kiss goodbye, perhaps we would first do well to remember what Jesus said, “what God has joined together, man must not separate (Matthew 19:6).”

Adopted! Lessons Learned in the Heart of a Mother (by Darla Garrett)

My husband and I were content and acceptant that we were not having children. However, we were open to a family and had explored several options. None of the options felt right for us until a special little boy walked into our lives. We suddenly became parents to a one-year-old boy who was living with his Grandmother. Her health was not enabling her to remain his caregiver. The birthparents chose to pick the home where their little one was to be placed instead of having him placed in a foster home.
Three weeks after offering him our home, he came through our front door with signed adoption paper work. Wow! What a life changer for all of us. For three days, this little guy was disappointed, his new mommy answered his morning cries to get out of bed instead of his Granny. I just held him and told him what was happening and that everything was going to be all right. Quickly, God gave him a strong love bond to his new family.
Though this experience, I have learned several things and I will share a few. First, I learned that God provides the love bond. I deeply love the stranger who, I now call, “my son.” One of the first things that went through my mind as a mother was a question. Could my love for this little guy be strong? I prayed and prayed that our love-bond would grow strong. Six months later, I found that we were bonded by love for a lifetime. One night he had a seizure from a high fever. I carried him around the house and my husband called the ambulance. When he quit seizing, he wasn’t breathing. As I tried to arouse him and waited to determine if he needed CPR, great fear overwhelmed me. Prayers shot to heaven, “Please Lord, don’t let me lose him, I just got him.” I realized that he had become part of my heart. Fortunately, he did arouse and began to breathe without CPR. Through a horrible trip to the emergency room, I realized God had answered my prayer to love this little guy and bond.
Secondly, I learned not to fear the future but to trust in the power of prayer. Prayers for my son flow easy. As I hold him to drink his morning milk, prayers for wisdom pour out of my soul. I had fears for his future as a result of his broken birth family and the instability that went into his first year. I have learned to pray for him during the quiet times that we have together. For example, he likes to watch the garage door come down when we come home, so as he watches, I pray. My prayer has evolved to this: Lord please help me to be the mommy this little boy needs. Help his daddy to be the man he needs. Please protect him from evil and harm. Finally, help him to make wise decisions. For I have realized that my husband and I will do our best for him but ultimately he has to choose his life path and a relationship with God.
Next, the love of God should flow from me to him. It is ok not to know it all or have the right answers. I will not be perfect; I just have to be trying and there will be multiple chances to get it right. A love and trust bond should always connect from my heart to his. He should feel my love even when he is disciplined. For example, I let him know why he cannot do something with short explanations. Here is a sample of what I sometimes say, “no, no it will hurt you and mommy loves you and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
Someone told me that parents say “no” to their children more than yes. My desire is for my son to have the feeling that he can achieve. One day he’ll learn the verses about being more than conquers and doing all things through Christ who gives us strength. So, to help him with this biblical principle, I say, “you can” more than “no, no.” It seems a little strange at first but, when put into practice, it eventually flows. For example, “you can walk without holding my hand down this hall.” “You can put the bubble bath in the water.” “You can have some more milk.” “You can help me with the laundry.” My goal is to love him in a way that will give him the tools to be all God wants him to be.
Finally, it is our responsibility to tell him about God along with the church. His dad leads him in prayer routinely and encourages him to pray. He leads us to church and encourages our involvement. Nightly reading time is a routine at our house. The concepts of the Bible are what I like to stress as I read Bible stories and even Dr. Seuss books. Here are some examples of the concepts. First, the concept “God made him special” comes from “I Wish that I had Duck Feet” by Dr. Seuss. Secondly, I stress that “God has great things in store for his future” through his adoption. We read the Alice in Bibleland series story of Moses. He was adopted and called to do great things. Thirdly, we talk about “God loving us very much” when we read about Gideon in the Vegetales series.
Our adoption experience was truly the hand of God orchestrating our family’s composition. Emotions swell up inside of me when I think about being chosen to guide a little boy through his life. God is the giver of all children and they are a blessing. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to love a little life and for the lessons that I’ve learned.

Darla Banks-Garrett lives with her family in Fort Worth, Texas. She works as a Nursing Administrator. Before becoming a mother herself, she served children for many years in children’s ministry.  She also had the misfortune of having to grow up as Lash’s big sister.