It’s interesting how hope and a future are built in someone’s life. It takes history and study and observation. Years ago I had no idea how we would get our four kids through college. We didn’t have savings, and we didn’t have the income for a new car payment, much less college tuition. But . . . we had seen God take care of each and every need of ours over the prior 24 years of our marriage. So we read all the directions for applying to colleges and for financial aid and sch

Need a confidence builder? I had absolutely no confidence as a young person. I didn’t try out for the high school choir, because you had to stand in front of people. I didn’t apply to be an exchange student, because you had to travel abroad. Even though I had a journalism degree, I didn’t apply for a job at a newspaper when we were first married, because I figured everyone else was better than I was. Even when I began to sing solos at my church, I had to stand behind a formid

It’s interesting to me that the prophet Jeremiah must have been a young man when God called him to be his spokesman. This was not a call Jeremiah wanted. In fact, he said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” God’s response was gentle and reassuring. Essentially, he said: – “You can speak to anyone, no matter the age.” – “I will give you the words to say.” – “Don’t be afraid of anyone–I will be with you and will protect you.” Perhaps the