I recently took an umbrella to church because the threat of rain looked imminent. I’m sure that I sat it down to chat with someone, because when I left and walked outside I remembered that I had brought it with me. I looked in places where I remembered I had been. I didn’t find the…
I know what it’s like to be proud. Heck, I’m a proud Dad and “Pop”. I think there’s a self-centered pride and “thankful pride”. When I say I’m a proud Dad, it is saturated with gratitude, because being a Dad is a huge blessing to me. I think sometimes being a Dad has taught me…
I’ve know people who were punished severely for something that seemed rather insignificant. The “letter of the law” is often very clear and concise. There is also a “spirit of the law” that is more about the intention behind the law. The Lord had made His Law abundantly clear to the people of Moab. They…
This is not a positive position to be in. Helpless carries with it a form of weakness and dependency on someone else. I’ve felt helpless many times in my life and it is somewhat humiliating. When I learned to trust the Lord, my view of helpless was modified. I realize now that I’m never alone.…
I remember as a kid being punished by my parents. I remember spankings when I had really screwed up. I also remember being sent to my room prior to my punishment and then the old “disappointed in you” talk. That was sometimes more painful than the “board of education applied to the seat of understanding”!…
This word is somewhat connected to the word perception. The word perception carries with it “an awareness, recognition, discernment, understand and emotion”. I might have a different perspective of the same event because of my perception. Perception and perspective are deeply personal and built upon my life’s journey. Some of the events of my life…
I remember disobeying my parents. I remember disobeying God. I remember breaking the law by speeding. The word defiant means boldly resistant to something. I’ve seen kids defiant to their parents, teachers, law enforcement and anyone else in authority. I have been defiant even to God. I’m not proud of my decisions, but I do…
I’ve talked out of both sides of my mouth before and most people I know have as well. Sometimes it’s deliberate and at other times, I’ve just changed my mind after making a statement to the contrary. This can also be labeled as lying. The longer I’ve walked with the Lord, the easier it is…
I love seeing small children learn and grow. It’s like every day is a new adventure. They are discovering, experimenting, testing and growing every day. They will often test the limits and boundaries set forth by their parents as well as natural boundaries. As the child grows, he/she observes their parents and adopts many habits…
I have heard stories of people who go sideways and go on a crime spree. When a person goes on a crime spree of murder, it seems like the world stops until he or she can be stopped. There are too many of these situations where a person plans and prepares to kill as many…