The Luckiest Man

Lou Gehrig was known as the Iron Horse, as he played 2,130 consecutive games. For 14 years, his name was in the lineup every day. And then he came down with ALS. His weakening condition hastened a premature retirement from the game he loved. On July 4, 1939 (83 years ago today), Gehrig addressed a…

The $50 Mistake

A man held up a convenience store. He asked the cashier if he had change for a $50 bill. Then he put his $50 bill on the counter. When the cashier opened the drawer, the robber walked around and pulled a gun on him and said, “Give me all the money in the cash register.” …

Off by a Little

If you decide to run 100 yards in a straight line, but are off by just one degree, you will miss your target by five feet. If you head to the moon, but are off by one degree, you will miss your mark by 4,196 miles. If you aim for the sun, but are off…

Fly in the Soup

A man in a restaurant found a fly in his soup and called the waiter over. “What is that fly doing in my soup?” he asked the waiter. Looking into the soup, the waiter said, “I think he’s doing the backstroke.” In life, we often get more than we ordered. James said it like this:…

The Five ‘C’s

“Every detail in our lives out of our love for God is worked into something good” (Romans 8:28 The Message).  God is weaving everything that happens to you, in you, and around you – into something great. You are who you are because of five things: Chemistry Connections Circumstances Consciousness Choices The one you control…

Prairie Chickens

The story is told of an Indian brave who discovered an eagle’s egg that had fallen off a cliff. He placed the egg with several prairie chicken eggs. When the prairie chicken eggs hatched alongside the eagle’s egg, the birds all grew up together. The eagle took on the identity of a prairie chicken. One…

The Man Who Designed the Flag

If Robert C. Heft was here today, he’d say, “Don’t let anyone else define your future.” Robert should know. In 1958, at the age of 17, he submitted a design for the new American flag, with 50 stars. His teacher gave him a B- for his efforts. Undeterred, Robert sent his design into the White…

There’s Still Hope

When we were considering possible names for our ministry five years ago, we immediately landed on the word “hope.” As survivors of addiction and trauma, Beth and I came to embrace hope as the fundamental key to our future. We have come to believe that, no matter the past, and despite all the pain, always…

The Great Apple Race

As a former Rotarian, I appreciate the ingenuity of the Rotary Club of Huon Valley in Tasmania, Australia. Each year, these Rotarians host The Great Apple Race. Each participant launches his or her apple from the Huonville bridge. The apples then float 300 meters down the Huon River. The person whose apple crosses the finish…

Trauma

There is no betrayal quite like spousal betrayal. Perhaps you’ve been there. Maybe you’re there now. You know what it is to discover your spouse has been living a double life with double standards. First, trauma knocked on your door. Then it kicked the door down. Now it has taken up residence in your home. …