Category: Uncategorized

  • Intentional Parenting to Shape Our Kids

    Intentional Parenting to Shape Our Kids

    My wife and daughter have been out of town for the last few days, taking part in a cheer competition in Virginia Beach.   Our daughter, at almost ten years old, has discovered her passion, and she’s quite good at it. From tumbling to dancing, jumping, and bringing her energy…

  • Where am I finding my identity?

    Where am I finding my identity?

    I think we all have a constant craving for identity. I know this is true for me.  I find myself so often chasing my identity in things that I do or in ways I am perceived or in things that I wish to be true of me. This really is…

  • Insights On Our Cravings and Desires

    Insights On Our Cravings and Desires

    In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear writes that “a craving is the sense that something is missing.”  In the Bible, the apostle James writes these words, speaking of desires and wishes that  cause conflict both within us and in our relationships:  What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?…

  • Parenting as a Calling

    Parenting as a Calling

    Do we see our role as the fulfillment of a God-given calling? Paul David Tripp, in his book Parenting, discusses the role of parents as one of the most  important callings in life. He says that parenting is “about a calling – one of the most  significant callings that could…

  • Growing in Knowledge and Wisdom

    Growing in Knowledge and Wisdom

    The Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, “We should not trust the masses who say only the free can be educated, but rather the lovers of wisdom who say that only the educated are free.”   And author Ryan Holiday (Stoic expert who writes online at Daily Stoic) says, “Knowledge – especially…

  • Grace for the Imperfect

    Grace for the Imperfect

    My wife tells me often that I’m a great dad, that I’m a great husband, that I do a good job of taking care of things, that she appreciates me. I have to admit that I don’t always agree with her. I often struggle to see my own “goodness” even…

  • Allowing Room for Both Sorrow and Joy

    Allowing Room for Both Sorrow and Joy

    So often we have an either/or mentality about our emotional experiences. We think we either need to be sad or be happy. If we’re sad, or hurting about something in life, we think we need to bring ourselves back to a place of joy and get rid of that pain.…

  • Gratitude Leads to Joy

    Gratitude Leads to Joy

    Gratitude is the starting point. With real gratitude, contentment is produced. And consistent contentment leads to ongoing joy. If I’m unhappy with my life, I need to examine my level of gratitude. How grateful am I for what I already have? Am I, in my unhappiness, thinking that having more…

  • The Infectiousness of Sin

    The Infectiousness of Sin

    Genesis chapter 4 is a story of “firsts.” Throughout the 26 verses that make up this chapter, we see many first-time activities described, that set the stage for what will take place as the story of Scripture continues.  All these firsts are significant. Some are indicators of God’s favor and…