Family. One simple word, and a common word at that, but one “f” word that can stir a boatload of emotions for many. For some, when they think of their mom, dad, siblings, and so on, they have warm fuzzies (a good “f” word). They think of playing Monopoly in front of the fireplace while sipping their favorite beverage and eating popcorn. However, for others, even the whisper of family evokes anything from troubling thoughts to outright terror. Sadly, I... Read more
Infidelity, a nicer word for adultery perhaps, is far more common than most want to admit. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy reports that when it comes to married couples, between 10 and 15 percent of women and 20 and 25 percent of men are unfaithful. That’s around one in ten and about one out of four. Sadly, the numbers do not represent a much higher percentage who, according to Jesus, commit adultery in their hearts when they look... Read more
Have you ever wondered if you would survive during a time of trying to navigate a self-inflicted tumultuous emotional storm? Maybe you said to yourself, If just one more thing hits the fan, I quit! You might not be suicidal, but you sure as heck are ready to wake up in heaven sooner than later. The tempest is especially difficult to endure when you know in your knower that you caused it. What’s worse, perhaps some of your oldest friends... Read more
Everything changes—every relationship, human system and structure, organization, organism, and cell in our body. Even after death, there is change (aka decay). Nothing earthly on this side of eternity has any permanence. So, like it or not, all things change; it is inevitable. Several days ago, my younger brother had a massive heart attack and passed away. He was only sixty-four. I didn’t see that change coming, and it rocked my world. A week ago, someone sent me a picture... Read more
We live in a world where rejection and revulsion are far too common. The cancel culture—where we cast off people and end relationships because we’ve been angered and hurt, separates and divides us from one another. In our treatment of others, we appoint ourselves the judge of right and wrong and determine who is in or out based on our preferences or beliefs. We have forgotten how to be civil. We also confuse accountability (i.e., holding people responsible for their... Read more
Life is hard sometimes. I don’t mean splinter-in-your-finger hard. I mean, you’re in so much mental, emotional, or spiritual pain (and yes, spiritual pain is a thing) that you sometimes pray to God, “Okay. I’m done. I can’t take it anymore. Beam me up, Jesus.” I’m talking about the kind of agony that causes you to bounce between anger and grief so much that it makes you dizzy. I’m referring to the sort of anguish so excruciating that you wonder... Read more
We are all wounded. All. Of. Us. I’m not bringing this up to minimize my poor choices or anyone else’s foolish actions, but we all are broken, and, as a result, we hurt others. We all walk with a limp in the darkness at times. We all have titled halos. I agree with Chris Rollman who wrote, “The entire Christian narrative is based on human failure . . . and the saga to bring redemption to failing humanity back into a relationship... Read more
From the outside, my marriage looked fine. We didn’t fight or scream, curse at, or abuse each other. For the most part, we were kind and at ease in our marriage, but I felt stuck in a dull, passionless routine resulting in indifference. According to Forbes, 75% of individuals and couples cited lack of commitment as the reason for their divorce. When we grow comfortable, we can become complacent, leading to mediocrity, often resulting in relational breakdown. My wife and I... Read more
Most of us have a plethora of lies etched into our souls. As a result of those false beliefs that bamboozle and betray us, we become highly insecure. And our insecurities always (and yes, I mean always) lead to serious relational problems. We can’t flourish spiritually or relationally in an environment of anxiety and doubt. Whether told to us by a person in authority, someone close to us, the enemy, or our self-talk, untruths weaken our ability to love others... Read more
Is it possible that God wants to use our pain, even our self-inflicted agony and depression, to make us stronger and better rather than weaker and bitter? Is it possible that God can take whatever we surrender to Him, even our mess, and turn it into a miracle when we cry out for His help? What if God’s blessings sometimes come disguised as difficulties? Depression doesn’t sit well on me, but as hard as I try, sometimes it covers me... Read more
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