Tag Archives: identity in Christ

Are You an Image Builder or an Image Bearer?

by Christina Fox, in category Identity

JUDIE PUCKETT|GUEST

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29

I confess to you that I am an Image Builder.

I want you to notice me…so I build my image.

I want you to accept me…so I build my image.

I want you to love me…so I build my image.

Build. Build. Build.

I think there’s a little part of all of us (and sometimes a big part) that longs to be noticed, appreciated, or even admired. So, we work hard to show only our best side, to reveal what we think looks impressive, and to create an image that appears to be perfect. We sometimes put pressure on ourselves to be perfect. We tell ourselves that we need to work harder, stay up later, get up earlier, read more, learn more, exercise more, post more on social media. The list goes on and on. All the while, the image making continues. It’s a drive that is never satisfied. It continually whispers, “You need to do better; you need to be better.” Image building is exhausting and burdensome.

Build. Build. Build…

Royal In Christ

by Christina Fox, in category Identity
PATSY KUIPERS|GUEST I’m captivated by British history, probably because it’s part of my history. The lineage of all four of my grandparents can be traced back to the isles across the Atlantic, at least in part. And who doesn’t enjoy a fairy tale romance? Thus, like millions of others around the globe, I delightedly followed… Read More

Making a Name for Ourselves

by Christina Fox, in category Identity
RONDI LAUTERBACH|GUEST We live in a culture of self-promotion. Navigating it can be very tricky, both for us and for those nearby who are looking to us for an example. Promoting ourselves is tricky because if we have something to sell or something to say, as Michael Hyatt puts it, we need a platform to… Read More

The Music That Shapes Us

by Christina Fox, in category Shame
SHARON MORGINSKY|GUEST My husband loves music. In fact, before he became a pastor, he was a full-time musician. Our home is filled with music most of the time. We have this little dance we do when people come over. He picks out a playlist and turns up the music, then after a time I come… Read More

The New Dress

by Christina Fox, in category Identity
PATSY KUIPERS|GUEST I remember the moment, even if I can’t recall the exact date—the moment when I realized I wasn’t good enough. A number of childhood experiences— an inconsistent relationship with my dad; often being described as “smart”, but rarely “pretty”; enduring a pudgy pre-adolescence during which classmates called me names — planted seeds of… Read More

What are Your Eyes Fixed on?

by Christina Fox, in category Thought Life
KRISTEN HATTON|CONTRIBUTOR “No one else ate cake!” “What? Yes, they did. Everyone I saw had a piece.” “Well, Catherine said with summer around the corner she couldn’t have any. And Elizabeth said the same thing.” “Ok, so a few people, but whether they did or not shouldn’t affect you. Besides, it was delicious so I… Read More

No Little People, No Little Places

by Christina Fox, in category Identity

STEPHANIE HUBACH|CONTRIBUTOR “Oh! You’re Tim’s Mom!” (Or, with the alternative eyebrow raising intonation: “Oh! You’re Tim’s Mom!”) Cart Man Many people in our town know my youngest son, Tim. Often, Tim is recognizable because he has Down syndrome—and there aren’t that many people in Ephrata, PA who are recipients of that “noticeable extra little something”… Read More