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…

“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…

My big toenails were toast. I was seven miles into a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon. Thirteen to fourteen miles down the North Rim (with side trails). Eight up the South Rim. The trek started as my personal getaway. I needed some space. I planned to do the hike in one day. However, since…

Ancient Israel. Located southwest of the Fertile Crescent in the direct north/south, east/west traffic from Egypt to Assyria. Like the small one-light town you drive through on the way to somewhere else. Yet Israel’s location was strategic. God planned to impact the world through this tiny nation. We read of Abram’s call in Genesis 12…

It’s fall, and the calendar is filling. Football games. Homecoming. Weddings. Events fill the tiny squares that make up life. My stress level rises with each addition. Until. Until I remember, it’s not the what that’s so important, it’s the who. Each event presents an opportunity to make a difference. To encourage. To pray. To…

All the kids were home this weekend. That gets harder to pull off as the nest empties. Russell and I stood in the kitchen and watched our four, plus one daughter-in-law and one daughter-in-law-to-be. Laughter filled the house. It made my heart glad to know my kids and their relationships are healthy and strong. Surely…