Remember the wedding scene in the movie Princess Bride, when the priest with the speech impediment waxes eloquent about “Mauwage?” Much is being tossed about on the subject these days. I’m not sure if “mauwage” has ever been more misunderstood or devalued than it is today. Your children are facing a world that’s considerably different than it was even a generation ago. In our culture, even for those who see themselves as believers, it’s considered okay for couples to simply co-habitate or co-parent. Since marriage is viewed as an optional commitment between two people who love Continue Reading
How to Thrive When You’re in a Spiritual Desert
If you've followed Jesus for any length of time, you've probably been there. That vast, empty wilderness of soul where everything looks the same. No landmarks. No water. The dry place. You sing worship songs that once lifted your spirit, but now they're just nice words set to pretty notes. There's no emotional connection to the meaning. You open your Bible and try to read. After a few minutes of staring at the pages, your eyes glaze over. Your mind is numb, your spirit disconnected. You try to pray. It's all you can do to get the words out and over your lips. You know God Continue Reading
Does My Parenting Really Matter in a World Gone Mad?
Raising kids is hard work, right? The challenges are many; the rewards are distant, and half the people around you don't get why you live the way you do. Meantime, you're slogging it out in the trenches, trying to retain your sanity and questioning whether your efforts make any difference. May I encourage you? The enemy of your soul wants you to believe that your parenting isn't significant. He's selling you a lie that your hard work is for nothing. There's a reason Satan wants you to give up and settle for mediocrity. There's a reason he wants to steal your vision to Continue Reading
One Simple Practice that Can Restore Your Soul
What do live clams have in common with a burning bush -- and what does the comparison have to do with you? Allow me to explain. Last week, I found myself doing a very touristy thing -- collecting shells on the beach in Florida. (Having watched many episodes of Seinfeld back in the day, I felt like I was tasting life at the fictional "La Boca del Vista.") Scott and I had just attended the annual conference for Care Net, the affiliate organization for the ministry where we work. This just after our youngest son's wedding at the end of August. Whew! We were tired. The rest was Continue Reading