Giveaway Love

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When I officiate a wedding, I tend to use some of the same language. Last year, there were 14 weddings. I almost have that section memorized! I use some of the same language because it’s important. I also believe it isn’t just for married couples. See if this is useful to you… Love isn’t romance or harmony or peace. Those are byproducts of love. Love is faithfulness to God, then each other. You can’t give what you don’t have. But that is the goal of love…giving. Giving itself away.  When I was 20, I was selfish. I didn’t realize how selfish I was until we hadRead More →

Dark Woods

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Have you ever faced something really hard? I think all of us have. Sunday night, Keri and I started our drive to a friend’s house near the hospital where our youngest son would have a procedure to repair his heart. It was quiet and I reached over to hold Keri’s hand. Soon I noticed the tears. She said, “I don’t want to do this.” It’s like the feeling of entering dark woods. We knew the next few days would be tough, and we hoped it wouldn’t be as hard as our minds made it, praying we would find the strength to endure. It’s a newRead More →

Sandcastles

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While our family is away on vacation, I spent last Sunday morning at the beach. It’s the kind of Sabbath I don’t do often. In fact the last time I did was 3 years ago. While I was there, I walked down the water’s edge and looked at all the people. I breathed a prayer for each of them while thinking of my own church family. I stopped at a group of people who were building sandcastles. It hit me, these people are no different than me. Everyone of us are building sandcastles: some are intricate and detailed while others are simply just trying toRead More →

Treading Water

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  You’ve heard people say “sink or swim” right? Usually, you hear it when people talk about life. Get in the pool and make a decision to either sink to the bottom of the pool or swim to the other side; one means success and the other means failure. But let me tell you what I see more often than those; treading water. I grew up most of my years in Orlando, FL. Surfing came naturally. I had good balance and if you get a long board you can pretty much catch any wave no matter how small. Inevitably, there was always someone that thoughtRead More →

Ice Cream Cone

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Whenever Keri and I are asked for parenting advice, I’ve always responded with the same statement, “Let them eat ice cream and buy good laundry detergent.” Here’s what I mean… There will be times when life seems overwhelming. No question. But in those moments, try to picture kids eating ice cream…they haven’t a care in the world. And because they are care free, there is undoubtedly sticky goodness running down their hands and onto their clothes. Here’s the deal. Let it happen. It’s fine.Throw it in the washer with confidence. Nothing so trivial is worth losing your mind over. Last night Emmett, who we wereRead More →