For those of you with children or grandchildren, or for those of you who lead or teach children and youth in some other way, I’m about to share something that might be a bit jarring. But there are times when some soul-rattling is in order. Let me share it with you, and then explain my … Continue reading (Really) prioritizing the faith of children as we re-vision our lives
parenting
The Trojan screen
The Trojan Horse was a wooden horse which concealed Greek soldiers. After the horse was taken within the gates of Troy, the soldiers emerged under the cover of night to lead an ambush on their unsuspecting Trojan foes. Today, when someone calls something “a Trojan horse,” they are referring to hidden strategy to take down … Continue reading The Trojan screen
How’d you get to be so wonderful?
There’s an old story about a father and his three-year-old daughter. The father asked her, “How did you get to be so wonderful?” Immediately she replied, “Because I married you!” The dad and daughter were obviously not married. The daughter was simply repeating what she had heard someone else say in response to the same … Continue reading How’d you get to be so wonderful?
I wish my dad were here
I wish my dad were here. He died in November 2014 after a short but difficult battle with cancer. I trust that he is in a much better place now than this problem-fraught earth, so it’s not like I wish he were back again dealing with worldly problems instead of enjoying heavenly awesomeness. What I … Continue reading I wish my dad were here
The best way to stand up for someone?
Sometimes standing up for someone is simpler than you think. Just take this advice from a 2-year old...
Supper’s ready!
I heard about a survey where Americans were asked what words they most liked to hear. Number 1 was “I love you.” No surprise there. Number 2 was “I forgive you.” Makes sense. Number 3 was a bit less predictable. But it totally makes sense… “Supper’s ready!” I wonder why so many people like to … Continue reading Supper’s ready!
Butter tarts on a tombstone
Recently I visited my dad’s tombstone with my son Ben. The last dessert I had with my dad before he died was butter tarts. So we brought one for Ben, one for me, and one for my dad. As we sat there snacking (we placed the one for him on the top of his tombstone), … Continue reading Butter tarts on a tombstone
Never underestimate your impact
Yesterday was the 3-year anniversary of the death of my dad, Eric. He was 64. As I look back, I think about the kind of dad he was. He was a great dad. But to be honest, he probably wouldn’t have won a dad-of-the-year award. He was more low-key than that. Plus, he wasn’t perfect. Just as … Continue reading Never underestimate your impact
Hallowhat?
When I was little I didn’t really know anything about Halloween. It was just a time to put on weird costumes, forego our don’t-talk-to-strangers rule, and pile in more chocolate than Augustus Gloop from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But as time went on I found out more. I learned that a fair amount of … Continue reading Hallowhat?
The Up Devotional 