Living an Other-focused Life

What does that mean “other-focused” and why should I live that way? Let me illustrate the answer with a story. After Hurricane Katrina turned New Orleans and the surrounding areas into a wading pool for such unwelcome monsters as homelessness, widespread destruction of property, loss of life, jobs, pets and dignity, my home church organized…

Conflict with God

Sin creates conflict with God. We learned this in Genesis 3:1-6 when Satan in the form of a serpent convinced Eve that she would not really die like God said she would if she ate of the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. But sin also creates conflict with others. Adam blamed Eve…

Pleasure versus Happiness

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between pleasure and happiness? Aren’t they almost the same thing? We’re happy when we experience pleasure, right? No! The difference between pleasure and happiness is vast. Pleasure is fleeting and elusive. It is an appetite that is never fully satisfied. It always demands more. Pleasure leads to…

Wisdom and Truth from James

I love to travel. The above photo was taken by my Ukrainian exchange student, Iryna, as we drove through Utah toward Colorado on our Spring Break cross country road trip with my adult daughter. What a journey that was! (More about that another time.) I love mountains. There is something timeless and wise hidden there,…

Join In

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Are you one of those people who exude confidence, who can take the spotlight unflinchingly? Or would you rather stand back, avoid the front and center, and observe? I think most people who know me would say I am an extrovert. The spotlight usually doesn’t bother me. I…