I am not a stranger to legal courts. A daughter of a defense attorney in Brazil, I grew up watching dad buried in countless books and evidence documents, carefully studying each case with zeal in order to prepare for his defense. For many years I witnessed him turn down clients whom he could not defend in clear conscience. While watching his earnest quest for justice and passion for truth, my heart was shaped at a very young age to carefully hear each side of an argument in its entirety, Continue Reading
Trusting God At the Edge of the Unknown
I hadn’t seen her that excited in a long time. Mom moved up and down the stairs, speaking in a hushed tone with whoever was on the other side of the line, striving to hide the details of my birthday surprise. She acted as if I had no idea of her plans. I smiled at the thought of how it does not matter whether our children and four or forty - They’ll always be little in our eyes. When the time came to leave the house, she approached me with a blindfold. “From now on, you cannot see Continue Reading
The Empty Pew – Is Hypocritical Faith to Blame? {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
Dwight L. Moody was an American evangelist and publisher, who lived in the 19th century. Among other institutions, Moody founded the renowned Moody Bible Institute and Moody Publishers, both still in existence today. He was known for his piercing and passionate sermons and for leading highly popular revival tours in Great Britain and the U.S. In one of his publications, titled “Moody’s Anecdotes,” he wrote a provocative story about a picture exhibited in a gallery in London. From a distance, Continue Reading
Playing with Temptation {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
Published on the Atlanta Journal Constitution - Faith & Values Column - 09.03.16 - Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen was a famous German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I. Famously known as the Red Baron due to his distinctive red Fokker aircraft, Richthofen shot down more combat planes than anyone else on either side in the first world war. On April 21, 1918, while engaged in the battle over the Morlancourt Ridge near the Somme River in Continue Reading
Nothing Changes… If Nothing Changes
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NASB) Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes The quote was scrolling across the TV screen while the leader talked. I immediately started thinking about the truth behind those words. It was one week before the beginning of the new school year and I knew it was time to start putting to practice some of Continue Reading
Friendship & Envy – The Pinnacle of Contradiction {Atlanta Journal Constitution}
It seems as if my daughters’ social experiences this year have offered ample opportunities to learn about various facets of friendship. It’s been a blessing sharing my experience and struggles with them, and watch as they make wise decisions, while learning key principles one must know in order to better evaluate a person’s character. Several weeks ago, I wrote a column about how true friendships are tested in times of trouble. Later that week I ran across an amusing quote from an unknown Continue Reading
