rebelling against low expectations
Pain is a recurring theme in my life. That statement is not meant to garner pity, nor is it meant to add shock value to this particular article. In fact, I do not even consider it worth a special or unique pity. Pain is a commonality that all humans face. It is simply a part of life. Pain has been a more prominent part of my life since 2016, when I became ill with a nervous system disorder that...
Lately I’ve been reading Psalms 146-150—the last five chapters in the book of Psalms. These psalms have a unique format—they each begin and end with the phrase, “Praise the LORD!” In between are all the reasons that he is worthy to be praised. While reading these Psalms, I’ve noticed five things they teach us about praising God. 1. Praise is repetitive. Some people criticize modern...
Changes are hard. No one is going to argue with you on that one, I guarantee it. Moving, school changes, college, jobs, losing friends and making new ones, health issues, family problems; all of it’s overwhelming and no one ever likes it. This world is filled with pain. Our human bodies are sinful in nature and prone to experience hurt. So what do you do when you feel like you are breaking? Is...
Kathy Ellefson lay on the hospital bed, giving birth to her fourth child, Aaron. But she had a horrible, inexpressible feeling something was wrong. When the nurse carried the baby boy over, she said he might have Down syndrome. Mrs. Ellefson was relieved! She had thought her baby was going to die. Instead he had Down syndrome, a genetic disorder where one has an extra chromosome, causing mental...
“Breakfast!” Comes the call from downstairs. In a zombie-like state I drag myself out of bed, stumble down the stairs, and collapse into my chair, looking as if I’d just run a triathlon. Comatosely eating whatever food is set before me, I begin the long trek up the stairs and give myself forty minutes until I start my day. That’s how my days used to begin. In a state of indifference, routine...
“Time flies.” We’ve probably heard that phrase a million times in a million different ways. I heard it consistently growing up, but I never understood what it meant. To a kid, time goes about as fast as a giant tortoise can climb Mt. Everest. At least, that’s how I felt—until my junior year of high school. It seemed that all of a sudden my calendar filled and chaos ensued. Every night...
You know those days when everything seems a little too messy? When everything you touch seems to explode? When you catch a glimpse of your reflection and can’t help but cry inside? When it seems like you failed yet another day? Maybe for you, a day like that comes around now and then. But if you’re anything like me, maybe that day seems like every day. We all have moments when we feel worthless...
In 1979, the American rock band, Eagles, released their sixth and final studio album, The Long Run. After disbanding in July the next year, the former members pursued solo careers. Don Henley, the Eagles drummer, released his debut album I Can’t Stand Still in October of 1982; the second single, “Dirty Laundry,” reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983. I came across this dated but timely song...
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that “the joy of the Lord is [our] strength.” And James 1:2 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” But what exactly is the joy of the Lord? And how do we count everything joy? The Difference Between Happiness and Joy First, let’s look at the difference between happiness and joy. According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, happiness is “the...
With the Orlando conference just days away — you can still at the door — we are getting more and more excited about the final tour. One of the things we’re looking forward to is worshiping our Savior with two of our favorite bands: Tour-favorite Reilly will be returning for San Diego and Baton Rouge. The incredible Generation Letter will be joining us for the first time on this year’s...
rebelling against low expectations
