Did you know that God never allows any difficulties into our lives just for our benefit only? Over the years I've discovered that He allows hard times into our lives to deepen our faith, our trust in Him, and for the purpose of benefiting and blessing others as well. "He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going … [Read more...]
Used Not Useless
A few months ago I had lunch with a friend. The waitress guided us to a booth by a window. John collapsed onto the bench seat. Outside, the skies were turning dark. Clouds threatened to bring a mid-day rain. John leads a Life Group in our church. He’s a deacon and someone who’s also actively involved in an outreach ministry. John’s also a father to a bright-eyed, curly-haired little girl on … [Read more...]
Words Matter
He forgot. Again. I stood there staring at the garbage can in our kitchen. The can was so full that tinfoil was poking out through the hinged opening. You couldn’t have pushed in a used napkin much less squeezed in an empty soda can. How many times had I told my 15-year old to take out the garbage can when it was full? 100? 200? It felt like a 1000. I felt my body tighten. My teeth … [Read more...]