I finished my work in the house, so headed out to the shop to see if there was any way I could help my son with what will definitely be the hardest part of letting go of the place that’s been home for the last ten years. He wasn’t cleaning, but working on just one … More Scraps
There are some moments in life you never forget. They become embedded pictures in your mind, even when the details grow fuzzy. My first visit to an African marketplace did it for me. The year was 1986. Only a few months in the capital city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a friend took me to the … More First Impressions
Today would have been his 73rd birthday. This day comes now with a bitter-sweetness that is hard to shake, but the Lord has made this one especially sweet, so I want to tell you about it. As pilgrims on this journey, we do not always have the joy of seeing the results of the seed-sowing … More The Best Gift
Buying a new house is exciting. It’s a huge commitment and is a major event in life. It’s been fun to watch my son and daughter-in-law go through the process, which includes both trepidation and enthusiasm. I was honored to be asked to help in a painting project this past weekend. Thrilled to be asked, … More Making it their own
These hot, lazy days of summer make it so easy to just do nothing. It’s like the month of Ramadan for my Muslim friends. You’re not eating, the energy level decreases and sleep comes easy. Sluggish is a good word for this kind of feeling. Being raised by parents who grew up in the days … More Provoked
Life is full of seasons. One way to help a young mother through the hard days of teething babies or the “terrible twos” is to remind her that “this too shall pass.” It’s just a season of life. It doesn’t last forever. I was reminded this past week that this adage has its limits. One … More The Hood
Everyone loves a good success story. A leading CEO goes from rags to riches. A rookie hits a home run that wins the game. A drug addict kicks the habit and now gives back to his community. A cancer patient is declared cancer-free. The odds in each of these cases were anything but promising as … More Defying the odds
Have you memorized a verse from the Bible? Can you say it now? I’ve listened to people quote great sections of scripture, amazed at their ability to memorize and retain. I contribute my ability to recall verses to a class I participated in at my church during my youth. Many Baptist churches had Bible Drill … More Inspired and Profitable
I had an exercise in remembrance recently, as I went through some old journals and notebooks. While thumbing through notes taken during a college retreat back in 1984, the Lord reminded me of an encounter with a very unique woman. She was the main speaker, and I remember her talk as I look at a … More She made a difference
One of the hard things about the Christian life, and one that the world doesn’t get, is praying in faith. Two things are important to remember in this: The prayers are lifted up to the God of all creation through Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not praying in blind … More Worth the Effort