Category Archives: joy

The Best And Worst of Christmas

My favorite opening line to a novel is “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” (Followed closely by, “It was a dark and stormy night.”) Christmas can be the best and worst of times.

We see the greatest examples of generosity at Christmas and terrible, soul-stifling stinginess.

We see acts of forgiveness and deeply rooted bitterness at slights of years gone by.

Christmastime leads to great joy and happiness and fits of road rage and public meltdowns.

Many people celebrate Continue reading

In Praise of Encouragers

Encouragement is one of the most beautiful gifts we can receive. A kind word, a helping hand, a warm smile, an appreciative hug– these things are the currency of encouragement. And this currency is never devalued.
I officiated the funeral of a great encourager recently. In more than twenty years of being his pastor he encouraged me countless times without a single hint of discouragement. Amazing.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that wonderful gift. In a day when snark Continue reading

Joy isn’t at Disneyworld

I humbly offer the following for your consideration-

   “I’m a man on a mission.  We recently packed the kids into the family van and headed off for vacation spots.  No phones, no meetings, just relaxation.  However, I forgot to tell that to my brain.

   I get mission-oriented, even on vacation.  We have to rush to get to the next place. ‘No dawdling allowed,’ I tell my family.  ‘After all, we’re on vacation!  We’ve got to hurry to get there.  And Continue reading