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
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
Finding Peace in the Midst of the Storms – Atlanta Journal Constitution Column
Shortly after midnight on Oct. 23, hurricane Patricia became the strongest Pacific hurricane on record in the Americas. My phone started buzzing with texts from my family and friends that morning, since my name was soon to be associated with the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Pacific coast. I watched as real-time videos of the horrific storm popped on my computer screen, praying for the areas on its path. As it turned out, Patricia’s intensity decreased very quickly as the storm’s Continue Reading
You’re Never Too Old to Say Yes to God’s Call (My Column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)
“The class of 2015: 600 Game Changers, in 20 industries, transforming the world.” The headline on the cover of the famous business magazine announced the article featuring the astonishing list of 30 people under 30 years old who are making history with their fast-growing businesses and discoveries. They are scientists, app developers, on-line attorneys and social media moguls, to name a few. It’s pretty amazing to see these young faces invading the headlines, with bank accounts and estates that 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
Expecting Change without Changing {Insanity} (Atlanta Journal Constitution Column)
“You know when you are sailing and you lose the wind? What do you do? You try a different tack. You need to try a different tack with your son.” I hit the pause button on the episode of my favorite TV show and picked up a notepad. The powerful visual was too good to dismiss. It is true and I could certainly relate. I used to go sailing in a bay in the shores of South Brazil, and what the character described is exactly what often happened when I reached the open ocean with my small Laser boat. Continue Reading
