Last week, I helped chaperone a group of 35 middle schoolers for summer camp. I have to admit, I was a bit unsure of what to expect. I’m really used to working with high schoolers – not middle schoolers, so I guess I was expecting the smell of Axe spray mixed with body odor, and lots of hormones. There was some of that, to be sure, but the experience I ...
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Are you embracing your freedom? I'm not talking about celebrating the freedom of living in the USA. We're pretty good at that. It's especially easy this time of year with all the flags, parades, fireworks and patriotic music. I'm referring to the freedom we have in Christ. I'm embarrassed to admit, but I'm not always the best at it. Do you ever do this? You sin, confess, but feel so badly about ...
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“Be still, and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10 How’s that for a summer verse? Life moves us through the school year at a fast pace. Even if we don’t have children in school, our communities revolve around it. Now that summer break is here there’s an excitement we can’t deny. It’s a chance at a new schedule, a new season with different weather, activities, food, work. It could be ...
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When we think of what the word 'Dad' means, a lot of words come to mind: reliable, kind, compassionate, steady, bread-winner, integrity, faithful, protector...just to name a few. But it seems like these traits, many of which guys like me strive to have every day, are not celebrated in today's world. I just read an article in our local newspaper where they interviewed 6 area 'celebrities' and asked about their Dad's. ...
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There’s Power in the name of Jesus…we play and sing so many songs about this fact. We trust in Jesus to save our souls…then why is it so hard to trust Him when we face hardships and just life in general? Hi it’s Parks Stamper. I think Louie Giglio in his new book, Goliath Must Fall, nails it. He says, “Most of us follow a pattern where, when we feel vulnerable ...
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Call me weird, but sometimes I really love oxymorons. Yes, the joining together of 2 seemingly opposite words or ideas. You know, like jumbo shrimp, virtual reality, same difference, and government intelligence. I don’t know why I love them – maybe I’m a contrarian at heart, but I just love getting a good chuckle out of some of them! Something I saw in a Facebook post the other day struck ...
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My husband and I used to have this delightful little exchange going back and forth. He would say, "Everything has meaning" and I would playfully respond, "No it doesn't! Not EVERY thing has meaning!" I was younger then and don't want him know that he was right! I'll eventually admit it to him but right now I feel like I'll never live it down. God is Sovereign. Nothing is random. Not ...
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Okay, I'll be brutally honest. This verse is a tough one for me: "No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:18 (Living Bible) Really God, "No matter what happens?" Last I checked, in my circle of people I love, there's a lot of suffering. Illness, grief, loss, financial insecurity, infertility, I could go on... I know it's the ...
Read MoreCloset clean outs are a thing of spring, as are graduations, weddings, and yard work. Sometimes you may find yourself doing yard work for a backyard wedding or graduation party while wearing clothes you forgot you had, but found during your closet clean out! There are times when life gets cluttered and items that once meant something fall to the back of the closet. My friend Krista has a closet for ...
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My wife, Donna and I have three boys that we love and adore. Caleb is 27 years old; Jake is 17 and Elijah is 14. Every Easter she thoughtfully and painstakingly puts together easter baskets with their favorite candies, a special gift and a chocolate cross. I have always thought the chocolate crosses sitting on the store shelf looked a little bit cheesy, but this year I have a new thought about ...
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