During a trip to Fort Scott, Kansas, my friend Deb and I discovered a wonderful coffee shop. Our chai lattes tasted spicy yet mellow, while the missional atmosphere of the shop impressed us. Bookshelves were filled with classics and some religious fiction. I added my Reverend G books to their collection and promised to bring …
Ever since the patriarch Job lived his troubled life, we have been asking, “Why?” Actually, the question “Why?” was probably asked since the beginning of time. Perhaps Adam halted in his naming of the animals to ask, “Why, God? Why spend so much time on the colorful details of the bluejay, then throw together this …
Because we have busy schedules, we rarely see each other. This boy child who has become a man in such a short time — my only living child, my Caleb. Yet each time we are together, the emotional umbilical cord feels as strong as if it had never experienced a physical separation. We sit in …
As I drove up to the multi-storied house, the “Estate Sale” sign reminded me of my mission. Look for something I could use at work — something that might bring encouragement to the women I coached: a pot of flowers, beautiful cards, a trinket to give away. What I didn’t expect to find was a …
The analogy was too obvious to ignore, so I felt compelled to write about it. On January 12, 2020 — the Kansas City Chiefs accomplished one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. After the first quarter, the lopsided score of 24-0 gave the Houston Texans an insurmountable edge and a well-deserved pat on the …
Although I have become known as the platform writer of hope, life sometimes interferes with the process. When circumstances force me to the sideline, I have to work harder to find hope and encourage myself again. The last weeks of 2019 were harrowing. Beginning with December 5, the side effects of a medicine gradually sapped …
Recently, another writer asked, “Are you working on your memoir? It seems you’ve lived an interesting life.” In fact, I have been writing my memoir for several years. Only one piece remains, but I have to wait for life to hand me the answer for the final chapter. It’s common for people in my demographic, …
A brand new calendar forces reflection on the passing of time yet also moves us toward new opportunities. During my “senior” season, I am finished setting resolutions. No more of the usual “less sugar, lose some weight and save more money” focus. This year, I want to dig deeper. Maybe it is the aging factor …
Many of the people in my age demographic are downsizing. We refuse to buy more stuff. At the same time, we are looking through our current stuff and assess how to best dispose of it. Yet I am finding a strange pull to some objects: My Dad’s Bible, favorite verses carefully highlighted with his scrawl …
The colorful lights, packages wrapped with beautiful bows, Santa’s lap filled with happy children, the music of the season: all these joys spell Christmas. But what if we’re smack in the middle of grief this December? What if some of the joy is colored by sadness? How do we find hope when we so desperately …