In life, we humans tend to handle our pain, anger, or darkness in two ways: we transmit it or transfer it.
Who’s my neighbor? Not just the people I like, but the ones I’d rather avoid. The ones who need mercy, even if they’re "supposed" to be my enemy. That’s Jesus as the interpreter, showing us what love looks like when we’d rather draw lines.
Ever feel like your heart has been chipped away piece by piece until you are not even sure what is left to give?
Love: The Secret to Bravery. What if love is the spark that makes us brave? I’m Annaise, part of the teaching team at Garden City, wrapping up our virtues series with the “tiny” topic of love. As a therapist, mom to a two-and-a-half-year-old, and Tacoma transplant (five years here, two at Garden City), I’m thrilled to share how God’s love transforms us.
Anxiety is something I have wrestled with and continue to work through. My hope is that you hear me today not as someone who has it all figured out, but as someone who is walking this journey alongside you.
What if creativity and beauty aren’t just for artists. What if they’re callings for every one of us? I’m excited to share some thoughts with you today, thanks to George’s invitation to speak at Garden City Church about these Christian virtues. Creativity isn’t optional—it’s woven into our DNA. Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Worship is different. It’s this beautiful practice that invites our whole selves—yes, even our bodies—into the mix. Science backs this up in wild ways. Did you know our bodies pick up on danger before our brains do? Or that trauma lingers in our muscles, not just our minds? There’s even research showing organ transplant recipients sometimes inherit memories from their donors. Crazy, right? (Side note: I’m ADHD, so tangents like this are my jam—bear with me!) The point is, worship isn’t just a mental or spiritual exercise. It’s physical. It’s holistic. It’s us showing up fully human to meet a fully present God.