The last days of any given year often carry bittersweet feelings for me. I tend to look back into the year that closes with a mix of joy and sorrow, pride and disappointment. I believe that, for most of us, we cannot help but analyze the closing year and set our hopes high for the future. We make new resolutions and set new goals. We reload our hearts with new dreams. Gyms get crowded in January; diet plans get uploaded to our smartphones and writers launch books about accomplishing more and Continue Reading
Don’t Let Fear Replace Trust in God (Atlanta Journal Constitution Column)
I stood in line earlier this week at the security checkpoint of Baltimore-Washington International, looking down at my watch, certain that I would miss my flight to Atlanta. Security was on high alert following the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris and subsequent threats to my homeland. Lines were moving extremely slowly. My concern about missing the flight was actually welcome. It made my thoughts veer from fears that tried to take over my heart. Mostly, the fear of flying - an old Continue Reading
Procrastination: Delaying God’s Best {Atlanta Journal Constitutional Column}
An interesting story is told of Col. Joahnn Gottlieb Rall, commander of the Hessian troops in Trenton, New Jersey, during the Revolutionary War. It is reported that the colonel was playing chess when a courier brought a letter containing an urgent message stating that Gen. George Washington was crossing the Delaware River. Rall, engrossed by his game, put the missive in his pocket, choosing to read it at a later time. His procrastination, however, proved to be his doom. When Washington Continue Reading
The Power of Simple Prayer – Atlanta Journal Constitution Column
George Mueller was a German-born evangelist who lived in the 19th century and was mostly known for his love and devotion to orphans. He dedicated his life and ministry to providing shelter, food and education for over 10,000 children during his lifetime. Yesterday morning during my quiet time, I came across a story about him that gave me pause. Mueller was aboard a ship, crossing the Atlantic for an important meeting in Quebec. A dense fog had descended, making it impossible for the vessel to Continue Reading
Hope and Faith Bloom in Spring (Weekend Atlanta Journal Column)
They line up the streets as I enter my subdivision. A festival of white and pink bloom, cheerful reminders of warmer and brighter days to come. I utter a prayer of thanksgiving - spring has sprung! After a dreary winter, I can finally walk outside and breathe in the beauty of God’s colorful majesty. As I open the garage door, I gaze at the front yard, where our very own dogwood tree welcomes me home, its first blooms cheering my winter-struck flower bed. Spring is my favorite time of the Continue Reading
