The Least Expected

The Place for Self-Sacrifice in the Christian Life

The Jewish leaders gathered around the site of the execution. If there was ever a time to rethink or doubt their course of action this was it. Instead, they boasted with confidence, “he saved others, if he really is who he says he is, let him save himself”. This scene from the final moments of […]

When Your Inner GPS Is Broken

The Difference in Doing and Being

I lost therefore I am a loser. I failed therefore I am a failure.   Those statements seem to make sense don’t they?  If you failed, doesn’t that make you a failure? The phrases may seem logical, but they can be incredibly destructive. Using your performance at a particular moment (I failed the test. I […]

Happy Mother’s Day!

A Poem and a Prayer

I am grateful to have had a wonderful mom, and even though she is no longer with us, her memory and impact is fresh and real every day. My mom was the most courageous person I have ever known. So, for those of you who enter this Mother’s Day without your mother, I encourage you […]

The Third Week of Advent

Joy To The World

Victor Hugo once wrote that, “The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or more to the point, loved in spite of ourselves.” If that is true then Christmas is our reminder that unending happiness is available to us all. This joy comes from knowing that we haven’t […]

Cities of Refuge

Why The Church Must Always Be A Home For The Broken

For many years, the nation of Israel was just a nation of people with no land attached to them. They had spent the majority of their existence as slaves in Egypt, working other people’s land for other people’s profit. After escaping Egypt and battling through a series of military victories, Israel had a home of […]

Why “Made To Thrive”?

Embracing both the highs and lows

Several years ago, I decided to try my hand at writing for public consumption. Writing had always been a cathartic process for me, and I hoped that my thoughts might also resonate with others.  Over 300 blog posts later, I decided it was time to redefine my direction. After weeks of trial and error and […]

The One Question We All Must Face

I’ve talked to hundreds of people who were hoping to save or repair a relationship in their life. I’ve talked with parents who were struggling with their children, and husbands and wives who were struggling with each other. I’ve comforted the heartbroken and sought to calm the enraged. Some people were struggling with just one […]