Where do you find your identity? Is it your job? Is it your role as husband, wife or parent? Is your primary identity a student? Do you find your true identity in your ethnic or cultural background? How about your sexual orientation? Maybe it’s your skills as an athlete or a craftsman. As our kids…
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Has anyone ever accused you of having a “soft spot”? I’m not referring to a baby’s soft spot. That’s the vulnerable area on top of their head where the skull hasn’t yet grown together. Here’s a definition of what I mean: “A soft spot is a strong feeling of sensitivity and sympathy for something or someone.” Maybe for…
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I’m old enough to remember what happened on November 22, 1963. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was in grade school, but I remember the fear and uncertainty I felt. All my classmates felt it as well. I also remember September 11, 2001. Four coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States. This time as…
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For the most part of our lives, we feel that we’re the only one who feels the way we do. For example, maybe you’re going through a health challenge or financial hardship and every cell in our body is declaring, “Woe is me. Nobody has it as bad as me. I’m sicker, I’m worse off,…
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Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even the Messiah did not please Himself. Romans 15:1-2 Jesus turned the world upside-down concerning the “strong” and…
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“Ama et quod vis fac” It’s Latin and it sounds cool. Better is what it means and who said it. In English, it’s “Love, and do what you want!” It was written by Aurelius Augustine (St. Augustine). A casual look at Augustine’s words sounds a lot like a “license.” License to do whatever you want…
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I wrote the following couple of paragraphs in 2018, but I thought it might bring comfort considering the “anxiety the coronavirus is bringing.” Okay. It’s time for some gut-wrenching transparency. I’m afraid and I’ve spent the greater part of my adult life living with fear and anxiety. Does that surprise you… especially when you realize…
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Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments ” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. Joel 2:12-13 …
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My grandson is learning to drive. He has his driving permit which means he can drive, but he has to have an adult licensed driver in the car with him. I was speaking out of town, so I thought, “I’ve got a great idea. I’ll let him drive the four-hour trip and I’ll work on…
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What was your best gift you’ve ever received? I must have “short/long term memory loss.” I can’t remember what I ate for lunch today let alone a gift someone gave me years ago. That being said, I have been blessed with many gifts, many kind acts of love and service directed to me. Allow me…
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