When my kids were little, I started a habit with them at bedtime.  We called it “Three Thankful Things.”  Every night when I tucked them in, I would ask them to tell me three things they were thankful for that day.  Some nights naming thankful things came easy to them, and other nights they did it begrudgingly.  Either way, our goal was to teach them (and me) the spiritual discipline of giving thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thess.5:18)  

Lately, I have been in a season of distraction. It’s been a busy summer for our family with one daughter graduating from high school and our other daughter getting married, all within the span of 10 days. We have a few weeks to catch our breath and then we will move our youngest daughter to college 1,000 miles away. I have still been in the Word, doing my daily reading and regular “quiet time” routine in the morning, but my mind has not been as focused. I have been going thro

“Well, it’s true!” my daughter exclaimed emphatically. “Just because it’s true, doesn’t mean you need to say it,“ I replied. This was a repeated exchange in my house as we raised two girls who are only two years apart in age. As you can imagine, words and accusations flew around our house like flies around manu--, well, you get the idea. Sins of the tongue were a constant, and I often resorted to old school training measures, such as a dab of soap or hot sauce on the to

Do you remember a time when your parents told you “no” and you were furious? A trip down memory lane to your teen years will likely yield a story. Looking back now, you can see their wisdom, but you also vividly remember how angry, frustrated, and upset you were with them.

Excerpt from an article I wrote for Machias Valley Baptist Church : Psalm 46:1-2a   Have you ever been through a season when it seems...