It is easy – even natural – to thank God for things that benefit you.  But when people and circumstances conspire to cause us pain it messes with the one thing that can sabotage all gratitude – our expectations.  Life is full of such moments.  There is the life that we thought we would live or […]

A man will pay a high price to win his prize.  If you had the money would you pay $3.1 million dollars for a 612 pound blue fin tuna?  Answer: “No!”  Well, the owner of the largest sushi chain in Japan did and he was overjoyed and grateful to possess it.  He was ALL IN for […]

It’s all perspective right? Or perhaps more accurately, it is a battle for perspective. When our circumstances appear to be aligning with our hope-filled expectations, the sky is bluer, the trees are greener, the birds are singing, and people are a blessing. What a wonderful world right? But life can turn on a dime when […]

Celebrating big victories has a half-life, the party eventually must end. Similarly, being safe from danger doesn’t mean you are doing good as a person. No one may be chasing you but you still have to fight the war within your own heart. This has been the story of God’s people throughout Scripture and, not […]

Celebrating big victories has a half-life, the party eventually must end. Similarly, being safe from danger doesn’t mean you are doing good as a person. No one may be chasing you but you still have to fight the war within your own heart. This has been the story of God’s people throughout Scripture and, not […]

Most of us have seen a good “cliff-hanger” movie. The formula is predictable: the clock is ticking, imminent danger is coming, there are limited or no options, a dramatic intervention, and then a mix of relief and celebration wash over you with a good catharsis. The unspoken conclusion? THAT was a close one! History is […]