My dear wife, Luella, and I recently celebrated fifty years of marriage. It is mind-boggling to think that a girl from Cuba and a boy from Ohio would end up in the same lunch line, at the same college in South Carolina, on the same day, at the same time. When I first noticed her [...]
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalms 91:2 NLT He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalms 91:4 NLT It’s important for children to feel safe and secure. [...]
I looked at the text message in complete disbelief. Why couldn’t this person see how insensitive and hurtful she was being? I don’t know who made up the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Either they had nerves of steel or they lived on a deserted island with [...]
Few realities in human life are as captivating, fulfilling, and elusive as friendship. Most of us have tasted its deep and dynamic potential for good at some point along our journeys, and yet most of us can also testify to having neglected friendship, maybe for years. Maybe for decades. As Drew Hunter observes, “Friendship is, [...]
I’m a pastor who teaches, writes, and edits for a living. On weekdays I spend most of my work time in front of a screen. No one pays me to lift, dig, carry, push, or even move (other than my fingers). My job is not physically taxing at all, though it is often emotionally demanding enough that I’d be [...]
About a month ago, I was asked to speak at a Mother’s Day Breakfast at my local church. I knew that the audience would be very diverse -- all women of all ages. This opportunity was an honor, but it was also a pretty big mountain that the Lord wanted me to climb. As I [...]
Has your marriage ever been in a place where you barely knew how to pray? Mine has. My husband’s fierce battle with lust and pornography once knocked me to my knees. At times, the only prayer that formed on my lips was, Lord, help! And He did. God has written a redemption story in the marriage [...]
Two weeks before Christmas, my heart stopped. Seated next to me in a congregational meeting, my wife sees me close my eyes and slump. After a few seconds, the old ticker providentially revives “on its own.” It happens four times during that meeting. Maybe I’m just too inactive, I think. Perhaps if I get up and walk [...]
We all want to help when our friends are hurting, but we may not be sure where to begin. Do we give them space and tell them to call if they need anything, or do we dive in and try to fix everything? Do we ask questions, or do we wait for them to initiate [...]
Out of the blue, as a new mom, I started having panic attacks, debilitating insomnia and anxiety … and I didn’t know why. On top of that, I found it hard to confess I was struggling emotionally because people might question my faith. They might accuse me of not trusting God enough or just tell [...]