In the West, we celebrate the arrival of “Holy Week” with Palm Sunday, a recognition of Jesus’s “Triumphal” Entry into Jerusalem ahead of his death, burial and resurrection. But by most definitions, this week was anything but triumphant. Ultimately, Jesus was betrayed, captured, beaten and crucified.As we dive deeper into the historical context of the events and contrast them against the pressures and cultural challenges we face today, I think we get a deeper perspective. Two Types of Kingdoms Each […]
Tag Archives | Joy
‘Merica | We’re Better Than This
For a country that was founded on the notion of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we’ve done well. In fact, America has become so free and prosperous that we’ve even removed the “A”. We’re now know as ‘Merica—a reality television version of ourselves with schizophrenia. Some days, we see the resolve of the human spirit unite under the concept of faith, hope and love—like the response to Hurricane Florence. But other days, we digress to into fear, division and […]
If I’m Honest… | The One Thing Our Lives Desperately Need
Rampant, subtle dishonesty ruled my life for many years. My business was booming although it stressed me out, my social media feed showed the smiles instead of the meltdowns, my marriage appeared pure despite the fact that it wasn’t and my conversations delivered what I thought people wanted to hear instead of what was true. With the best intentions I ever-so-gently positioned my life to seem better than it was. It was a vicious cycle that robbed me of authenticity and […]
3 Things to Remember This Christmas
Christmas makes me feel like a kid again—like I’m ten-years old sitting in the kitchen at Grandma Ham’s house on Christmas Eve, anxious and giddy about what Santa might bring. But this year, I had the stark realization that those memories are twenty-five years old. It’s hard to believe, but I’m days from turning thirty-five. I’m no longer the little kid. I’m a father to four beautiful children and we’re having Christmas at my house. For whatever reason, that reality has been a […]
The Reality of Depression at Christmas
I’ve recently gained a deeper appreciation for the reality of depression. Whether it was my own naivety or an unwillingness to be honest, I refused to go there. But the truth is, many people will spend this Christmas and the coming year in a battle with depression. And I would never suggest that I have any answers, but I wanted to unpack a few thoughts and share a story that may provide some perspective. For those of you who struggle, know that […]
Embracing Christmas: 12 Days of Christmas Cheer: #ARichChristmas Day 9
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed with joy in a particular moment you want to hold on to that moment forever? You want to squeeze that memory so tight, take a mental picture and remind yourself of it constantly. I had a moment like that this morning and I’ve been reflecting on it most of the day. This morning, for the first time ever, we took MJ to “BIG CHURCH“. Seeing how much he loves music, we thought he’d love […]
Be Calm, Be Quiet, Be Content
Too often, I feel like no one can relate to my life–no one can understand where I’m coming from. In my frustration, I isolate myself on my own little island, set up camp, and throw a one-man pity party. However, I found some consolation this week from the Old Testament that gives me the strength to persevere. David knew the joy of victory. He also understood the pain of defeat. He danced with gladness, yet at times, his soul was troubled to […]