Several years ago I went through a fairly significant examination of life, work, family, art and where it all was headed. I had just ended a pretty intense season in which I found myself spread thin and a little over-extended, and I knew that I couldn’t sustain the pace indefinitely. Still, it was a critical juncture in my life and career. I was looking for some insight on how to stay engaged and keep moving forward.

During that season, I was in a meeting in which a South African friend asked, “Do you know what the most valuable land in the world is?” The rest of us were thinking, “Well, probably the diamond mines of Africa, or maybe the oil fields of the middle east?”

My daughter Megan and her husband, Joel, have decided to adopt a baby. From Uganda! I am so proud of them.

Ever since Gail and I visited Ethiopia a few years ago, we have had a passion for children born into poverty. I can’t imagine what it would be like grow up without parents. Doing it while trying to get enough clean water and food to survive sounds impossible.

Many pastors find it difficult to talk about money in the church. Why is this? Probably because it has been so abused. No one wants to be the guy who resorts to guilt or cheap gimmicks to motivate people to give more. As a result, some leaders find it an easy subject to avoid.

But the Bible says more about money than almost any other subject. Obviously, there is a direct correlation between our faithfulness to God and how we handle our money.

Ahhh, Christmas. It just may be the most wonderful time of the year. Every year, however, parents are reminded of how much our culture has impacted the minds of our children. For instance, we all talk about Christmas being a time of giving — but let’s face it, the first thing kids want to do in December is to make their own Christmas list of what they’ll get, not give.

So here’s an idea.

Cheryl was in a cauldron of emotions. As regional sales rep for a software company, she was a “heavy hitter” who produced outstanding results quarter after quarter. She was a loving wife and mother. In addition, as a person of conviction, Cheryl led the Ethiopian AIDS orphanage ministry at her church. To say her plate was full would be an understatement. And the perfect storm of demands, deadlines, and weariness had her in a category 5 grip.