Author: DeDe Reilly

A plus-one is more than just a guest’s companion at an event—it’s a partner, a teammate, and a co-laborer. In ministry, while I may be the invited guest to a meeting or gathering, I always pray for a plus-one to invite alongside me. As a collaborator and verbal processor, having a plus-one brings so many…

Adolescence is like riding a wild roller coaster, full of twists and turns—physical, mental, emotional, and social changes all swirling together with a sprinkle of spiritual curiosity and a dash of hormones! It’s a time when questions pop up like popcorn, but the answers often seem a little fuzzy and tangled. So how can the…

One of the sweetest parts of my week happens at the end of Sunday School. After we’ve played, studied, laughed, responded, and prayed together, we wrap things up with three simple but meaningful steps: Years ago, Rev. Lauren Clawson introduced me to the idea of a hand blessing, and I instantly knew it was something…

I love movies! There’s nothing like a good one to hit “reset” on my brain when it’s running in fifty directions. One of my all-time favorites? The original 1984 Karate Kid. Here’s the gist: Daniel, the new kid, wants to learn karate. Enter Mr. Miyagi, his quirky and wise mentor. But instead of sparring lessons,…

Freedom to Explore and Experiment Sometimes, the most profound lessons don’t come from a speaker’s slides, a workshop’s outline, or even a coach’s prayer. Instead, they’re whispered by the Holy Spirit—moving among God’s people, over lunch tables, coffee tables, Airbnb kitchen islands, and yes, even while waiting in line for Gideon Bakehouse cookies. This year, here’s…