I was staying in a hotel on the campus of the University of Memphis that day. I had left the hotel early that morning and was now returning. It was mid-morning. As I walked near the hotel, I saw police. They were standing by their cars just outside the hotel. There were four or five… Continue reading Living an Authentic Life — Today
Category: Encouragement
The Lord Stood By My Side
I am sitting at our kitchen table having finished a cup of coffee. It is early in the morning. Right now, I am thinking about my work and the day I anticipate. I want to think that the day will matter or count in some way. For me, the day really counts if I am… Continue reading The Lord Stood By My Side
Cheering Others On
On Friday afternoon, we drove to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport to pick up Jamie (our younger daughter) as she returned from Ghana. (She also spent a wonderful week in Scotland on her return.) She spent three weeks working in the Village of Hope. Picture hundreds of children in this place having the opportunity for an education,… Continue reading Cheering Others On
The Lord is My Helper
Today, I feel somewhat stressed and overwhelmed. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling very small as I began to think about decisions to be made, the unknown, and the future. I then read Hebrews 13:5b-6: "…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The… Continue reading The Lord is My Helper
What Message Are We Sending?
This life is often difficult. Maybe that is why I have always identified with the people in the church and community who at times just find life to be tough. I get a little suspicious of people who seem to have everything all figured out. You know these people. Their marriages are just right. Their… Continue reading What Message Are We Sending?
You Can Forget the All-Star Stuff!
Yesterday I was in Dallas. Downtown Dallas. I was attending a one-day workshop, which was conducted in one of the meeting rooms of a large hotel. Throughout the lobby of this hotel were decorations that focused on this week’s National Hockey League All-Star Game to be held tonight in the American Airlines Center in Dallas.… Continue reading You Can Forget the All-Star Stuff!
When You Feel Exhausted
Life can be exhausting. Think of what takes so much energy: Tasks to be done. (And, dealing with situations where the task was not done or was not done well.) Maintenance and stewardship of finances. (And, dealing with finances when you have overspent and lived beyond your means.) Care and feeding of relationships. (And, dealing… Continue reading When You Feel Exhausted
The Value of the Ordinary (Kathleen Norris)
Kathleen Norris, in her book The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and "Women’s Work," writes about the importance of the daily tasks as "life supporting work." These tasks do not define who we are as human beings but they do have an important place in shaping us spiritually. The following is an excerpt: The often heard… Continue reading The Value of the Ordinary (Kathleen Norris)
10 Ways to Bless Your Children (Part 1)
Do you have children? Little children? Adolescent children? Adult children? Or maybe you have no children at all. (In fact, you may be thinking, "I’m barely out of childhood myself!") I’m thinking about some ways to bless your children. You can probably think of others. 1. Love them anyway. Yes I know you love them. … Continue reading 10 Ways to Bless Your Children (Part 1)
When Your Life Is Hard (Part 1)
Last night, we sat in the Lorena High School gym visiting with a number of people we have not seen in quite some time. Our daughter Jamie graduated from Lorena two years ago, and we have only been to a few games since then. It is funny how we could walk into a gym full… Continue reading When Your Life Is Hard (Part 1)