A recurrent Christmas puzzler for kids is how to get a gift for Dad. Dad generally has far more resources and supplies what he needs for himself. So, should buy him another shirt, a gadget for his car just to… Continue reading

“Toxic Charity” – what an idea! Robert Lupton, a man with four decades of experience in urban ministry, wrote a book that challenges our ideas of giving.  “Our self-centeredness contributes to the problem. We evaluate our giving,” Lupton argues, “by… Continue reading

“I am tired of being capable! I want to join the lackluster performers, underachievers, apathetic airheads, and halfwits. OK, I like being capable, but I could really use some help! I am tired of doing it all on my own!”… Continue reading

If you open our refrigerator somewhere in the middle of the week, you will find a dozen or so plastic containers that hold the remains of dinners of the previous days. Leftovers! Bev is convinced that the cornerstone of good… Continue reading

Jen Hatmaker, a blogger I recently discovered, coined the phrase I borrowed for my title. In a poignant, funny, and all too relatable essay she writes about her desire to create the perfect family as she works to integrate adopted… Continue reading

Are you feeling pain today? Is there some source of confusion, or disappointment, or personal failure that is creating an ache in your life? You’re not unique!  One of the side effects of the Christmas season of joy is the… Continue reading

Sasha and her Daddy approached me after church yesterday wondering where to leave several large bags of groceries gathered for our church’s pantry for those in need. It wasn’t until I got home from church that I started to think… Continue reading

This CoffeeBreak is one from the archives.  In the past, it has brought emails my way expressing thanks.  As always, I thank you for reading along on CoffeeBreak.  They are sent with prayer that God will bless you abundantly as… Continue reading

A few days ago the road in front of my home was being resurfaced. The flagman was positioned right at the end of my driveway from 8 AM to 4 PM so we interacted several times as I came and… Continue reading

Three wealth managers from Connecticut showed up at the lottery headquarters to claim the huge prize of $245,000,000. It made headlines around the country. And the story fueled thousands of conversations that start with ‘what if.’  What if I came… Continue reading