A good reputation is of immeasurable value. Joel shared in one of his letters to a close friend how deeply he regrets the loss of his reputation. No amount of remorse can change what is. A reputation takes a long time to build, but can be destroyed with one sinful choice. Unfortunately, a reputation can […]

Tags: faithfulness, love, reputation
Filed under: Christian Living

As I was pondering verses on thankfulness this week, I was impressed with the Old Testament thank offering. This was an offering not demanded at certain times of the year, like many of the others in the Old Testament law. Rather it was one that was given of the person’s own free will. Leviticus 22:29 […]

Tags: choose, joy, thankful
Filed under: Christian Living

The other day Marshall shared with me a thoughtful essay he had written about thankfulness. I was challenged by his insight. The essence of his message was that when we are not thankful, we become dissatisfied and think something is missing from our lives. We search for the missing ingredient to happiness, never realizing that […]

Filed under: Christian Living

The boys and I participate in an inner city ministry called Orlando Children’s Church on the Saturdays that we are home and able to go. It’s like one big, year round vacation Bible school for kids who might otherwise never hear about the love of Christ. Marshall and Jaden have really enjoyed this opportunity to […]

Tags: heart, invest, treasure, value
Filed under: Christian Living

Recently I was talking to my sister about some of the hardest issues that have come up about our relocation to Wisconsin and Joel’s supervised release (or probation).  I commented that I hadn’t told the boys some of the negatives we face, because until we get there and see what it is like, there is […]

Filed under: Christian Living

Is it OK to be not OK? The other day one of my closest friends in the world called to check on me. When she asked, “Are you OK?” My honest answer came in a rush, “No! Of course I’m not OK. But I’ll be OK. I know I’ll be OK.”  I had just received […]

Filed under: Christian Living

The writer of Ecclesiastes has to be one of the most disillusioned, jaded authors of Scripture. His soliloquy carries indictments against both wisdom and foolishness. His conclusion, oft repeated is simply, “Everything is meaningless.” He seems caught in the sea of ennui, tossed about by the waves of calculated indifference. He wants to care, he […]

Tags: hope, life purpose, meaning, trust
Filed under: Christian Living

We just got back from a long day of visiting Joel…just not long enough. Plenty of time in the car–more than enough of that. Never enough time with Joel. That is the way it always feels, so you’d think I might be getting used to it by now. Sometimes I surprise myself by how melancholy […]

Filed under: Christian Living

I was listening to a message today on Matthew 14 and was struck again by the beauty of God’s ways among us. Jesus fed thousands of people with one boy’s sack lunch! Being a believer since childhood, holds with it the danger of losing the tingle of excitement that should accompany the amazing stories of […]

Tags: give, obey, sacrifice
Filed under: Christian Living

Sometimes I  get tired of “doing the right thing.” I get tired of caring, of trying, of hoping, and persevering.  Weary…disheartened, and maybe just a little jaded. That’s me, on some days. The honest truth is, on those days, I endure out of obligation–that sense of responsibility that keeps me from going AWOL. After all, […]

Filed under: Christian Living