Getting Out the Door
At my house, getting out the door, especially to church, is almost an Olympic event. There are wardrobe crises, tired teenager tensions, sibling struggles—at times it’s more a combat zone than a home. I’ve observed many families with the same struggles. But isn’t it amazing how our attitudes change when we finally clamor into church […]
Three Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me!
Note: The following post is adapted from Bob West’s booklet, “Three Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me!” Everything about life changed for Bob and his family with the birth of his son, diagnosed with disabilities. Your life may be free of disabling conditions, but your faith may be in question due to something that’s […]
The Light Is Always On
I had to read these words then ponder them for some time. The story is found in Max Lucado’s work He Still Moves Stones. As you read, allow your imagination to picture this account.
Sorrow, Suffering, and God’s Severe Mercies
So much for assumptions. My daughter and I were attending a parent/transfer student weekend at a university she’s been planning to attend. We assumed things would be sweet and simple; however, things were not so sweet and simple. Due to misguided direction, she was told she would have to reapply and would not be able […]
Four Key Questions That Can Change Your Life—Part 2
“When it rains, it pours,” as the old saying goes. Last’s week’s post began with this statement; it seems to resonate with many of us. I asked two questions connected to how we willfully react to life difficulties; this week dives deeply into the heart of who we are . . . in our souls. […]
Four Key Questions That Can Change Your Life—Part 1
“When it rains, it pours,” as the old saying goes. Usually, about the time I get to feeling well grounded and firmly focused, the clouds come rolling in, and the illusion of control is washed away once again. The latest downpour began when my son had a seizure which set him back quite a bit—followed […]
The Answer You Have Been Looking For
I walked outside as the sun was setting to have a little chat with the Lord. Nature helps me remember God is in control; He indeed keeps all things in order, which includes the lifting and lowering of the sun. Two weeks earlier I had walked into my home and found my son, Jon, flat […]
It’s Okay
Getting stuck is a bummer. Just for a moment, let’s list a few “stucks”: Stuck in traffic Stuck on a test Stuck on a project Stuck while trying to fix something Stuck in the mud Stuck in a dead-end career Stuck in life Our minds can also get stuck in a rut of one-way thinking—the […]
May It Be as You Have Said
They are written in every baby book and shared with close friends. Those never-forgotten first words. In my children’s (unfinished) baby books, I too recorded their first words. Each child’s were distinct and, in reflection, true to their unique personalities. Austin’s first word was mommy. Jon’s first words, after waiting three years for him to […]
But . . . Why?
One of the first questions my children asked was, “Why?” It came at unwanted bedtimes, unexpected mealtimes, undesired moments of discipline, and unforgettable experiences of sacrifice and forgiveness. A wonderful innocence surrounds the question of “Why?” I don’t think we ever outgrow that basic question . . . at least, we don’t until we settle […]
What Would You Say with Only 18 Minutes?
If you had 18 minutes to give the talk of your life, what would you say? I discovered the Web site TED not long ago; I’m addicted. “TED—Ideas Worth Spreading” stands for Technology, Education, Design. One of the fundamental principles of TED Talks is that a speaker has 18 minutes to express his or her […]
The Playground: Five Truths to Remember
The brightly colored church playground equipment stood stable and strong against the backdrop of the setting sun. I had just dropped off my son Jon at “Fun Zone,” our church’s monthly respite program for families with special needs. It’s four enormous hours of fun for the kids—four extraordinary hours of renewal for caregivers. I slowly […]