Priceless Presents from My Friend Joe
The holidays aren’t all that happy for those hurting. Past painful experiences or current hardships cast a heavy blanket over bright lights and joyful hearts. My dear friend Joe Padilla, co-founder of Grace Alliance, understands this so well. Having endured many harsh holiday seasons, his wisdom for how to help the hurting is profound and […]
How to Lavishly Love the Holidays for the Rest of Your Life
It started at Target. I was attempting to stick to my shopping list . . . a continual challenge. Anyone with off-the-charts attention and focus issues like me understands this all too well. Picking up “a few things” on my list from any store larger than a roadside fruit stand is like plopping a nervous […]
When I Fell in Love with Thanksgiving
My love affair with Thanksgiving takes me all the way back to my boyhood days. I had just turned 10 years of age and was in fifth grade at Southmayd Elementary School in East Houston. As I recall, I was still going barefoot to school—and I combed my hair, maybe three times a week. Girls […]
Don’t Be Afraid
The hour of 1:00 a.m. comes every night, but there’s one 1:00 a.m. I’ll never forget. While you were likely sound asleep, I was wide awake . . . talking to God like mad! I was aboard a small twin-engine plane with a seasoned pilot, rapidly descending through a foggy, dense overcast at 200 miles […]
A Riddle That Will Revolutionize Your Life
What comes in all shapes and sizes, creates a big mess, requires constant attention, but eventually offers great fulfillment? Could it be . . . A new puppy? Seasons in marriage? A garden during harvest time? Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? Moving into a new home? Starting a new job? Oh, you’re so close! Stick with […]
Why You Must Put On Your Oxygen Mask First
Boarding an airplane is a bit like herding cattle. There are a bazillion people juggling babies, bottles, and bags that must be seated, settled, or stored in spaces the size of leftover Tupperware containers. Then, in the midst of all the chaos, the lovely flight attendant begins the “Emergency Oxygen Mask” speech. It’s something like: […]
How to Help People Survive Suffering
It was a morning I’ll never forget. My folks called and asked me to come by the house. Their typical enthusiastic tone was absent; in its place was a serious sadness I couldn’t identify. I opened the door and saw red, tearful eyes, their carriage weighing heavy with each step. We sat down. Everything was […]
Killing the Weeds That Grow from a Wounded Soul
I know you have been there. If it helps, I am there quite often. Those moments in life when you think . . . Did that R E A L L Y just happen? Did I H O N E S T L Y hear that correctly? Do you know how hurtful that was to […]
Getting Gutted or Gaining Freedom: The Gadget You Must Give Up
Some days, walking by faith isn’t so challenging. Other days, such as today, choosing to walk by faith is harder than trying to keep 20 preschoolers holding on to the rope on a field trip. That rope is there for a great purpose, beyond keeping teachers somewhat sane. It simplifies what could be utter chaos. […]
Three Significant Skills Required for a Remarkable, Successful Life
An Olympic Event—Minus the Award Ceremony! The new school year is in full swing! Shortly before school started, I stopped by Target to grab a few things. As I turned into the parking lot, I realized almost every family with school-aged children in the city—one of the fastest growing in the nation—had decided to go […]
The Only Answer to 9/11 . . . and to Life
I had just hopped on the treadmill, my one-hour reprieve when Jon was little. Music flooded my ear buds as I picked up the pace. All was well. I glanced at the TV to see the morning news . . . typical drama. The screen was split. On one side was the news anchor, and […]
Hope That Will Never Let You Down
Her husband softly kissed her forehead, then let go of her hand as her hospital bed was moved into the operating room. For six hours, her family waited . . . and waited. Eventually, the surgeon emerged from the operating room and confirmed the surgery had gone very well. In the months that followed, the […]