Hi, I'm Mary

From Mary's about page: I am passionate about teaching women how to read their Bibles and how to think about God. I get to do this through writing (both in published work and for my local church) and teaching for conferences and churches, as well as getting to help others do this in my everyday work as associate publisher at B&H Publishing Group. God has been so kind to allow me to serve the Kingdom in ways that I so enjoy.

Family

My family and I live just outside of Nashville, and we love it (Minus the traffic. I love you, but please don’t move here). We love flea markets, are one of the few remaining people who watch Survivor religiously, and unfortunately always seem to "donate" to the local gym rather than actually go. My husband, John, works in student camps ministry and we have three children: 9, 8, and 3: two who joined our family by biology and one through the glorious gift of adoption.

Theological Training

I hold a Bachelors in Christian Studies and also in English, a Masters in Theological Studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, and am about halfway through the PhD program in Theological Studies with a Systematic Theology emphasis at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Statement of Faith

I believe that Scripture is absolutely inerrant; God is immeasurably kind; and trusting Jesus and the work He did on the cross in our place to pay for sin is the only way to be made right with God. I believe that a right understanding of these foundational doctrines will result in worship and obedience in our lives. I love the church because Jesus has chosen the church to be His bride, and one day, Jesus will return to be with His church forever.

Church Involvement

My family serves at Fairview Church in Lebanon, TN where I teach second grade Sunday school each week, write d groups curriculum, serve on the women’s ministry team, and lead a d group on Wednesday nights. We love our church and we moved to Lebanon because I served as the interim children’s minister at Fairview for a few years and we felt right at home, so we’re still there, long after this interim role ended.

Do you want to know and love God more deeply? Read theology every day.

When peace seems far from us and when true rest doesn’t come, we don’t need more to-dos on our list or a set of step-by-step instructions to help us get there on our own. True peace, hope, and rest only comes by spending time in the presence of God. Spend 90 days in His Word focused on who God is and what He is like and find that He is worthy to be trusted at every twist or turn of life. He is better than our minds can imagine, in control of all things, and infinitely good. As you do, you will:

• find peace in His sovereign care
• enjoy security in His promise of eternity
• experience joy in His great love for you
• rest in the God who never sleeps
• trust God for your every need
• find comfort in His Spirit
• learn to live out your faith as an overflow of His glorious grace

God is the sustainer of the rhythms of the skies and seasons, as well as the intricate rhythms of our lives. To dwell in His presence is the promise of salvation, the abundant life in Christ today, and the eternal life with Him in the future. While the ways of the world lead to death, His invitation is to come and live. He truly is our highest good.