Growth is addictive
I’m sure parents the world over share my dread of wrestling with children’s homework and preparing for tests. Calming my teenagers’ anxiety before a test or trying to get... »
Personal Accounts
A big brother
One day when I was nine, my older brother and I went for a swim. I hadn’t yet learned how to swim properly and could only do a little dog-paddling and floating on my back... »
The forgiveness chain
I’ve always been impressed by people who can forgive. When I was a kid, it was that friend at school who didn’t get back at others when they made fun of his awkward ways... »
What Hagar taught me
I had a basic knowledge of who Hagar was through the various illustrated Bibles I had read as a child. But this year, after deciding to read through the Bible cover to co... »
I’m God’s celebrity
My daughter Kristen is a celebrity. Has been since birth. My wife and I follow her every move and document her moods, faces, and actions. We talk about her a lot and shar... »
Paying it forward
I’ve recently been reading about the “Pay It Forward Movement.” What stood out the most to me is how simple the philosophy is. Yet it’s still often difficult to be altrui... »
Practicing empathy
I was watching an interview last Sunday, and the guest was asked, “What’s the greatest need in the world today?” Without hesitation, he responded, “Empathy. The world nee... »
Loved and valued
When asked which was the greatest of God’s commandments, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind [and] love your neig... »
A planned wedding
Nothing happens to God’s children by accident. As I stand here, minutes before my wedding, looking down the aisle at the beautiful flowers and decorations all over the ro... »
The unexpected birthday gift
I have a dear friend who told me about something that happened on his birthday. His car was in for repairs, and on this particular day he was driving someone in their own... »
Why watermelons are blue
Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a difficult time falling asleep and staying asleep. Over the past several years, I’ve gotten considerably better at both through learni... »
Great expectations
The Bible tells of a time Jesus went back to His hometown. I think it’s one of the saddest stories in the Bible, pretty much summed up in the final verse of the chapter:... »
My very bad week
One or two things going wrong in my week aren’t the end of the world. I can handle a few bad things. I know that every week has its allotment of issues, and I’m used to d... »