Discernment. Do you have it? How about your kids?  Culture presents the idea that truth is relative: You have yours. I have mine. Compromise is okay if you have a good reason. How do we help our kids navigate these minefields of truth and lies? We train them in discernment. When Harry Potter came out, I chose…

Ever feel like a referee? If you have children, then you’re no stranger to conflict resolution.  How do we know what behavior to address and what to ignore?  When do we throw the yellow flag and how do we best discipline for the infraction? How do we teach conflict resolution—to preschoolers? As any NFL referee…

“Ahhh!” The fruit hit the ground with a juicy thud as Eve scrambled to cover up.  Adam stared at her and then at himself. “We’re naked!” “Hurry! Get the biggest leaves you can find.” Eve huddled behind the nearest myrrh bush as Adam darted through the trees of Eden. She winced as she backed into…

The leather thongs bit into his wrist. Lot stole a quick look from his one good eye, the other swollen shut from a soldier’s fist. His girls huddled near their mother, tears streaking their dust-covered faces. Warriors strutted by, stroking his daughters’ hair. They smirked at him, laughing as his lips bled from the anger…

“with your blood you purchased for God    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,    and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10 NIV I’m a fan of the Enneagram—an ancient personality profile with nine distinct types. While the Enneagram has helped me understand…

I read an interesting note regarding Cain and Abel: the likelihood that they were twins (only one conception recorded followed by two births). Hmmm. If true, Cain’s murder of his brother takes on even greater significance.  What went wrong? Simply, one man obeyed God. One didn’t. The broken relationship with God affected the relationship between…

Recently, a friend invited me to her home to dedicate some space to her new faith—the Warrior Goddess movement. Though the invitation was thoughtful, it made me sad, because my friend is chasing a lesser god. I won’t spend time on the belief system of the Warrior Goddess movement, but when the focus turns toward…

Rahab didn’t start her day with a plan to commit treason. When two Israelite spies sauntered into Jericho, trying to look natural, but failing miserably, only then did she make her decision. So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they…

Off-ramps. We don’t take one unless we need to. At least, not intentionally. Traffic flows faster on the highway, and we have places to go and people to see. Unless God takes the wheel.  God’s off-ramp to suffering takes many forms. Nit-picky annoyances that stack up like unpaid bills. Chronic illness. Interruptions that become long-term…

North Texas produced a bumper crop of wildflowers this spring. As I traveled from DFW to Wichita Falls, to Waco, and to Austin, my eyes feasted on bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, Mexican hats, buttercups, and blanket flowers. Blues and yellows, reds and oranges, and pinks and purples splashed the spring green of new grass. Jesus pointed…