“I fear John Knox’s prayers more than an army of ten thousand men.” — Mary, Queen of Scotland We find the story of King Jehoshaphat in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles in the Old Testament. He was the son of King Asa and was known to follow many of his father’s positive actions. But as his father, Jehoshaphat was also a king who often obeyed God partially. Even though he started a national religious education program and developed an extensive legal structure throughout the kingdom, Continue Reading
Overcoming a Lack of Confidence {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
Confidence is an anchor for the heart. It separates those who only dream from those who accomplish great things. It is a crucial element of personal fulfillment, focus, and joy. Confidence anchors our hearts when doubts assail us and pushes us toward the next step when everything around us pulls us back. It helps us overcome hurdles, dismiss nay-sayers, and look at the mirror with a smile on our faces. Indeed, confidence is arguably the one ingredient mixed into every success story. And Continue Reading
‘Help Is Here’ – Max Lucado’s New Book (Interview & Column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
“The Spirit is the dove of peace who calms us, the gift giver who equips us, the river of living water who flows out of us to refresh the world.” Max Lucado – “Help Is Here” Fifteen minutes into my conversation with New York best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado, I was surprised by how much I did not know about the beloved author. For starters, I was unaware that he had lived in my country, Brazil, for five years and speaks Portuguese with unlikely fluency for someone who has not Continue Reading
Looking Back to Move Forward {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
Early in the spring, I had the opportunity of interviewing Laureus “Sport for Good” Ambassador Grant Lottering. After reading about his extraordinary story, I was curious to meet the man who escaped death. While training for the 2013 World Masters Championship in Italy, Lottering was pronounced dead after a horrific accident. He was revived on the scene and taken to the local hospital, where doctors worked strenuously to save his life. For the next 12 months, Lottering underwent 11 surgeries, Continue Reading
LINKUP: Lessons from the Parable of the “Rich Fool” {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
A substantial part of the preaching of Jesus in the New Testament is recorded in parables. Parables tell a story, not about something that happens in real life, but a one-time fictitious event written in a simple, vivid way that engages the audience. One cannot underestimate the importance of the parables in the gospels, especially since scholars generally regard them as words that we can confidently credit to the historical Jesus. When Jesus spoke in parables, he did not create a new Continue Reading
Limitations Should Not Determine Your Destiny {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
I watched in awe as player No. 7 at the other side of the net jumped to hit the ball. “Flawless,” I said to myself. There was no better word to describe the 15-year-old’s technique and precision. I counted the number of Division 1 school volleyball coaches watching her intently – eight coaches from around the country took notes after her every kill. My daughter’s team’s defense helplessly scrabbled to stop her. As a parent, it was undoubtedly hard to witness the defeat. As a coach, I took Continue Reading
