It’s February. The graveyard of most new year’s resolutions. It seems harsh, but unfortunately, it’s just numbers. I did a little research and, according to a statistics website, 25 percent of people drop their new year’s resolutions by the end of the first week of January. The number goes up to 36 percent after the first month, and only 34 percent of people will remain committed to their goals past June. I am not proud to confess, but I have been on the team of those who don’t seem to be Continue Reading
USA’s Initial Trust In God Was Vital {Atlanta Journal Constitution Column}
“Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and withall thy getting, get understanding.” “The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.” I immediately recognized the quotes engraved on the walls of the Library of Congress — one from the Old Testament, the other one referring to Christ in the New Testament. These verses are well known to me. I stood in the Reading Room, astounded by the beauty and majesty of the architecture, while my heart raced with the Continue Reading
Comparison – Joy and Purpose Killer {Atlanta Journal Constitution}
A story is told about a king who went into his royal garden one morning, only to find every tree and plant withering and dying. He approached the oak tree and asked what its trouble was. The oak tree said it was tired of life and decided it wanted to die, since it could never be as tall as the pine tree. The pine tree felt discouraged and withered because it could never bear fruit like the grapevine. The grapevine was determined to die because it could never stand tall and bear large fruit like Continue Reading
What if the Trial You Face Isn’t About You? {Atlanta Journal Constitution Column}
Our children sat at the other end of the table, giggling as teenagers do, oblivious to the seriousness of our conversation. As my girlfriends and I bowed down to pray, it didn’t matter that we were in a busy restaurant at lunchtime. My friends had spent the past couple of hours sharing their burdens, seeking advice and wisdom, and we knew that only God could truly give them direction, help and meaning to their valley. As I prayed for each of them, it dawned on me — I was once more able to Continue Reading
No New Year’s Resolutions for Me
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
