Living Seasonally
The snow is melting. I can feel the warmth of the sun when it shines. Winter will soon be over and I feel the glimmer of anticipation for open windows, green grass, flowers, and long days spent outside. The hardness…Read More→
Articles written by Amy Schaffner
Stories that Make Us // Thinking it Through0
Don’t Give Up
You are not alone. Your weariness, your frustration, your exhaustion, even your depression. This pandemic has caused more than sickness, it’s caused widespread mental and physical exhaustion. Is there anything redeeming about this malaise we are all in? There could…Read More→
6 Ways To Help People Who Are Struggling With Depression
From the outside looking in depression makes no sense. The lack of emotion, the lack of desire to do the things they wanted to do before, the crying for no reason – all confusing. But here’s the thing: from the…Read More→
The Forgotten Middle
The pandemic has changed everything. From the way we teach our children to the way we grocery shop, not much of life looks the same right now as it did a year ago. It’s emotionally, mentally, and spiritually exhausting. Most…Read More→
Commentary // Stories that Make Us0
Share Your Story. I’ll Go First.
I struggle with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I love Jesus, serve Him wholeheartedly, and I still struggle with my mental health. There, I said it. How did that make you feel? If you’ve struggled with mental health issues then…Read More→
Be The Church // Commentary // Stories // Stories that Make Us // Thinking it Through0
Not My Jesus
This week I watched in horror as a mob of violent Americans stormed the US Capitol Building in an attempt to halt democracy and begin a revolution. My jaw remained dropped for hours as I saw people pulling down barriers, scaling…Read More→
Commentary // Thinking it Through0
A Call For Unity In The Church
COVID-19 is confusing. It can be as mild as a cold and as lethal as cancer. Experts say wearing masks will keep us all safe, other experts say the masks are useless. We should wipe down all surfaces. Also, don’t…Read More→
Why 2020 Needs Advent
This Sunday, November 29th, is the first Sunday of the season of Advent. For those of you, like me, who did not grow up in a faith tradition that observed the seasons of the church calendar, Advent is the beginning…Read More→
Stories that Make Us // Thinking it Through0
Raising People Is Hard Work
I used to think that babies were hard. My first two kids came along 16 months apart from each other, and I lived in a mild state of panic and reaction for a good two years that completely exhausted me. I loved…Read More→
Commentary // Stories that Make Us0
Depression and Anxiety are No Respecters of Faith
This was originally written several years ago, but with the times we are living in and the anxiety and depression I witness all around me, I felt it was time to share it again. If you struggle with depression, anxiety,…Read More→