Ever contemplate the gifts of Christ when you admire a creche? Nativity scenes often imply three wise men visited the newborn Savior on the first Christmas. Scholars believe the visit might have occurred a bit later than the night of Jesus' birth and no specific number of magi are mentioned in…
The second Sunday of June marks National Abused Women and Children Day. On one hand, I'm glad we acknowledge those who've suffered in secret for at least one day. Despite licensure as a therapist and years of experience with victims, I wasn't aware this day existed. Perhaps we all could…
This week's video blog follows up on our discussion from last week. Here's what we'll cover in this ten-minute post: The stages of grief What to say--and what NOT to say-- when responding to those experiencing loss Everyone grieves differently Long term recovery goal is NOT forgetting, but remembering How professionals…
What happens if I fail to fulfill my purpose in life? Dormant potential which exerts no impact on the world falls short of a fulfilling life, but does not seem to risk much. In his book, Overcoming Your Shadow Mission, John Ortberg suggests a more disturbing result occurs when we miss…
"Some wandered in desert wastelands, . . . hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord . . . and he delivered them . . . Let them give thanks to the Lord . . . for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with…
The last three blogs highlighted significance, priorities, and God-given dreams. These keys to abundant living relate to a common factor--purpose. How do I know what it is? What if my searches left me stranded in the same lost position where I began? If I feel a hint of potential destiny, how…
"Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word" (Hebrews 1:3). I once wondered if I could live without coffee. Clearing my sluggish haze each morning requires considerable effort. Anticipation or sunshine might spring some folks from their beds,…
We landed in Manhattan in search of great Christmas cheer. We strode among holiday shoppers and dined beside neighborly locals. Our eyes sparkled in the brilliance of tree lights and glamorous storefronts. Unbeknownst to us, a shadow rolled across the city. In the midst of preparing for the celebration of a…
I peered over the kitchen sink to check my herbs. Spider mites crawled over the remains of yesterday's sprouts. A few hardy gnats swarmed among the carcasses of their siblings, which I'd doused with organic weaponry two days before. I emptied the last of my seeds into the not-so-jiffy pots and…
I don't venture up onto my roof often. In fact, I only brave that weak-kneed climb if no one else volunteers to help with an annual task. My core tightens as I wobble those initial steps. After I reach the center and grip onto an anchoring structure, my lungs relax for a full…