Month: February 2017

As I write this week’s post, I have just finished leading a group of about twelve people in a guided reflection on 1 Thessalonians 1:3. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. The participants in this reflection were staff members at Hacienda of Hope, home to over 30 neglected or abused children at the edge of Ecuador’s stunning Mt. Cayambe. Their work here is hard, progress is often imperceptible and set backs are common. The only people who grind … Read more…

A few years ago, a ministry colleague prayed, what was for me, a very convicting prayer. She thanked God for one of our more, shall we say, idiosyncratic members. “God, thank you for entrusting this sweet person to us. Help us to love and care for this precious son/daughter as you would.” If we had sung an invitation song, I would have gone forward after her prayer. I am not always as gracious. I’d say that I don’t know how it is in your church, but as a matter of fact, I do. You have some strange members. Every church does. … Read more…

A few years ago, our family took a trip to north Georgia to the Chattooga River to go whitewater rafting. We chose the package that included the class 5 rapids because we wanted to make a memory. Class 5 rapids are defined as “extremely difficult, long, and very violent rapids with highly congested routes, which should be scouted from shore. Rescue conditions are difficult, and there is a significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap.” Interestingly, that’s also a description of the Atlanta expressway system. You’d think the most important person to me in that boat was one … Read more…

Three things in life are rare. Behold, four are practically inconceivable. Wealth without work. Wisdom without experience. Knowledge without curiosity. Family without forgiveness. There are some things you just can’t order a la carte. Fitness comes with a side of sweat. If you want success, you can’t substitute shortcuts for sacrifice. And the only way to have old friends is to be friendly – for a very long time. In Ephesians 1:15, the Apostle Paul touches on two other things that are inseparable; I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people.  Paul … Read more…