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
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
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
Dr. Charles Stanley receives a copy of Twelve Inches
A Great Way to Celebrate I had been waiting for this day for a while. And isn't it just like God that it actually happened two days before the official release of the paperback version of my first book Twelve Inches on retailers! I didn't plan it that way at all. God is just that GOOD! I have spoken at conferences with over 500 women in attendance before. I've spoken at live television shows. Yes, it never gets old and I always tremble. Yesterday, as I stood before the man who was used by 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
