It started with a tingling feeling on my hands and feet. I was working on my computer and the distracting sensation made me stand up and start moving around. The numbness did not get better. Instead, my heart started racing uncontrollably and horrible thoughts invaded my mind. I was dying. I just knew it. I was 25 years old when the first panic attack occurred. That episode started a myriad of doctor visits and countless tests, confirming that there wasn’t anything wrong with my heart or Continue Reading
Speak Life (Part 2) – The Encourager
Key Verse: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” Proverbs 25:11 An ornate chamber, richly adorned with silver panels and fruits carved in gold. As beautiful piece of decoration as can be imagined. This fine metaphor is used by Solomon in order to give the highest possible praise for a word spoken at the right time. I remember the feelings such words instilled in me as a child. Whenever an adult would recognize that something I did or said Continue Reading
Speak Life – Part 1
Key Verse: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 “I’m fat.” “I can’t get a job.” “I can’t do anything right!” “I’ll never get out of debt.” “Prince Charming is lost and can’t find the way to the castle.” I repeatedly hear comments such as these coming from faithful Christians and have been guilty of declaring some of them myself. Poisonous statements that we often say without a second thought. Death and defeat that we Continue Reading
The Deadly Machaira – Do You Use It?
Passage” Ephesians: 6:10-18 Key Verse: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 The enemy saw it from a distance and shuddered at its sight. Of all the swords that a Roman soldier could use, this one was the deadliest. Indeed, the “machaira” could be as long as 19 inches, but it was often shorter, resembling a dagger, therefore it was usually used in close combat. It was razor sharp on both sides of the blade and its very Continue Reading
My Latest AJC Column: A Dying Man’s Reflection On What Really Matters
“My first desire is that my physicians alone must carry my coffin.” After a pause, he continued, “Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones that I have collected in my treasury.” After resting for a few minutes, he continued: “My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin.” Alexander the Great had three dying wishes. At the age of 32, this man had Continue Reading
The Prayer Of A Prisoner
Passage: Ephesians 6:10-20 Key Verse: “And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” vs. 19-20 (NASB) The underground prison was dug out of solid rock. The prisoner, his guards and provisions were lowered through an opening the size of a manhole, which was the only means of entrance and Continue Reading
