One of the hardest changes for me was taking my first born, Ben, to college and leaving him there.

As a pastor, I relate to many hurting people. Life can be so hard at times.

My dad, Pastor Paul made this statement once: “Strong character and enduring faith do not grow in a climate of ease.”

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 NLT I’m sorry, but, “Are you kidding me??”

We know we are called to be Godly.  But have you ever felt like contentment is an option, a choice? 

Fear can rob us of what God intended to give us. 

It’s easy to lose our hope…. 

Mother Teresa said: “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” 

I have a hard time watching the evening news these days because we live in such an angry world. Anger seems to be on the upswing with no end in sight.

We sing the song Amazing Grace.  Are you amazed by grace?   God’s judgment, correction, and life’s consequences make sense to me. 

Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you?  At times, all of us can feel that way.  When prayers aren’t answered or situations go terribly wrong, we can get discouraged and wonder – where is God? 

We are called to be overcomers.  But to be an overcomer, you have to have something to overcome.  I don’t know about you, but my life is not lacking for things to overcome. 

Often when we think about related topics in the scripture, or in life for that matter, we think about joy and happiness, peace and calm, or trust and faith…