In several of my conversations within the last couple of weeks, I recognized a common theme: people are going through hardships – real and difficult circumstances. While the scope of the trials varies individually, this season appears to have brought with it a heaviness that makes it difficult for peopleContinue Reading
“If only I could get that job….” “Ugh. When am I ever going to have enough free time to do what I want to do?” “When I meet ‘the one,’ then I’ll feel loved and appreciated.” What do these statements above all have in common? They are expressions of discontentment. Continue Reading
If you are feeling discouraged and disheartened, you are in need of hope. A biblical hope focuses on what Christ can do when faced with unprecedented trials, severe loss, and disillusionment. I wrote this to someone special who has been experiencing a lot of anguish and in the midst ofContinue Reading
The Lord loves to speak to us, His people! I was listening to a brother in the faith express his heart and frustration over his circumstances. As we transitioned to prayer, I was given an image from the Holy Spirit to provide guidance and reassurance for him. Yet this messageContinue Reading
I was walking to the concession stand during an Anaheim Angels baseball game (a while back before the name change). A man from the kiosk begins to chat with me; I quickly find out that he can guarantee a $100 gift card of my choice. A few minutes later, heContinue Reading
It was my turn to wash the clothes. Fun! Like most households, I began separating the clothes into different piles, darks from the lights. Unlike other loads before, there was a significant amount of whites to wash. As I looked at the white socks with dirty grey soles and whiteContinue Reading
It seemed like yesterday… I walked across the street to talk to my neighbor, and that’s when I first got a close-up look at her. There she was – sweet, sleek, and sporty. I got to admit, she caught me by surprise. It’s not that I wasn’t expecting this toContinue Reading
Adjustments are never easy. When Valerie and I first got married – I now had a new role as a husband. Hmm… What does this look like? What am I supposed to do? On top of taking a new position at a church in the city of Angels where we’veContinue Reading
It was a beautiful day outside. Although it was mid-January, the sun was shining bright and the weather perfect enough to head to the beach. Valerie and I take out our bikes – and our trusty sidekick, Carmel, the dog – as we begin biking towards the shore. As soonContinue Reading
Do you have a word that you try not to use? For myself, it is the word ‘hate’. Since the word has a strong connotation with negativity and potential divisiveness, I try not to use it in my everyday language. I would instead substitute it for ‘dislike’ or ‘loathe’ (I’dContinue Reading