I've realized there's something within me that causes me to lean into yesterday's dreams, when I was a child. Whether it's a house that seems to help paint the picture in my mind of what the perfect family looked like - a safe home, family fully intact, with a basketball goal in the driveway, a …
Category: Encouragement
Roots and Wings
Psalm 127 reminds us that children are one of God's greatest gifts to us, if not His best. They are like "arrows in a warrior's quiver", a generous legacy, and a precious treasure beyond measure. Oh, how quickly I can forget this when the sibling squabbles ensue, but in my heart, I know it's true. …
Hidden Treasure
Psalm 19 mentions the hidden treasures God generously provides to His beloved. For me, I am overwhelmed how true this has proven to be, and am sorry it took me so long to realize it. Most of my life was spent in search of treasure, worldly treasure, but God has so much more to offer. …
Just Breathe
My son and I recently earned our open water scuba diving certification. It has been something I have been interested in doing for nearly 20 years. I wear a dive watch that was given to me one Christmas from my wife many years ago in anticipation of one day being able to go. However, for …
Out At Sea
"This is too much, too wonderful - I can't take it all in"! This is the exclamation in Psalm 139:6 (Message). I love this verse and can relate to it so well. I have often felt this way and still do, not only about God, but His magnificent creation(s). Nature - especially the beach, seems …
Dream Dare
Dare to dream is a phrase often used to help encourage one to dream, but when we dissect it, we soon see just how sobering it is. To dare is to risk. It indicates something is hard, perhaps scary, and if we take the risk, we may lose, be hurt, or let down. Yet, we …
Failings Of A Forward Life
Failing isn't something we desire, or shoot for. Rather, we love winning, but failing will always be a part of life. It can't be avoided no matter how hard we try. Immaturity is the in-between stage of innocence and experience. As such, a maturing faith no longer fears failure. It doesn't seek it, but when …
“Endless Summer”
Vacation is a wonderful thing - no doubt, but it can also be difficult. When I am able to get away with my family, to a beautiful place like the beach, we get to escape reality in some way. I also find I do a lot more praying and communing with God when on vacation. …
Value Jubilee
Over and over again in Psalm 121, and throughout the Bible, God proclaims His protection for us. That He's our guardian - but why? Humanity must be valuable to him - all life is valuable to Him. He protects, He provides, and He pastors each of His children, and pursues all the lost. Yet, it …
Impressions Of Inadequacy
An area of struggle that periodically pops up for me is my fear of making mistakes. There has been, and sometimes still is, this sense of inadequacy within me that propels me towards perfectionism. Perhaps it's the agreement I made with myself long ago that I was lacking somehow, not good enough, and perhaps to …
