Yokemates

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. Long trips, short trips. Either are fine with me. I usually just enjoy the experience and rarely get frazzled by delays. My timeline usually has some wiggle room, and if things don’t go as planned I can usually just roll with it. Fellow airport travelers who huff and puff as their patience is tried are more humorous to watch than tempting to mimic. Weather delays, mechanical problems and gate changes are just a reality of flight. Another reality of travel is the necessity for pit stops. The old saying, ‘A minute’s a mile’ can challenge anyone’s bladder if the goal is to only stop when the car’s gas tank is on E. The cramped quarters in an airplane, bus or train bathroom can seem quite luxurious compared to watching and waiting for the next possible pit stop when the pressure is on! There is one element of traveling that does, however, always makes my stomach a bit uncomfortable -   and makes my prayer life increase. It’s when ...

The world tells us to - Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself. Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else Make a name the world remembers. Pride. It’s lurking around every corner. Our world teaches us to champion the winners, make a mark on this world and if possible win incredible sums of money! I have to admit that some of my guilty pleasures include shows like Kids Baking Championship, America’s Got Talent, American Ninja Warrior and World of Dance. The prize money can be mind-boggling ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000. And, the money isn’t the only thing many reality shows boast. Winning a title or trophy are commended and almost glorified. Being promised a feature page in a magazine strokes the ego and is highly celebrated. Many contestants become mesmerized by the dream and a means in which to prove themselves worthy - a champion! But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams How easy it is to get caught up in the recognition a...

As our churches gear up for fall ministries, I have heard several pastors’ wives share that they are understaffed. They’ve been hoping and praying. They’ve been asking for volunteers, but they still don't know if they'll get enough people to keep their children's programs running. The structure is in place, and there is even willing leadership. But, they wait and wonder “Will we have enough workers?” The possibility of having to cancel or suspend programming and outreach to children is common in churches – large and small. The bigger the church, the more staffing is needed. The smaller the church, the willing workers are already doing double duty.   Choosing what is best for our personal schedules is hard enough, but how do we choose what is best for a church ministry. When do we pull the plug on a ministry and when do we move forward in faith? How do we encourage others to make wise choices when they have so many demands on their time? When should we press on and see...

From our earliest days, we tend to enjoy living life according to our own personal timeline – and according to our personal preferences. Just think of when we were little babies. We had it made! We ate when we wanted to, slept wherever and whenever it was convenient, and we got to explore a new and amazing sounds and textures nearly every day! Plus, we got lots and lots of attention, oodles of cuddles and much adoration. Other than the occasional gas bubble, our first year of life was pretty sweet!  We then became toddlers and life changed. The day’s agenda rarely revolved around us anymore. More and more disgusting foods appeared on our plates or on that crazy “airplane fork” that somehow mesmerized us into eating our leftovers. Soon, we find ourselves rushed onto the potty chair at the most random times and are daily required to instantly take a nap during play time. It’s just not fair! How can it be that no matter how old we get we still struggle – at least at times - li...