Occasionally I have the blessing of hosting international visitors in my home, especially from the small African nation of Malawi. At the end of the trip I always ask several debriefing questions, one of which is, “What disappointed you most about what you saw in America?” Without hesitation, it is almost always the same answer: “That you could go the whole day and not speak to your neighbors.” I’m privately thinking, “A day? I can go a month without even trying!” Such is the nature of our isolated North American culture. But it is a convicting statement that I need to be reminded of by my African friends.
Allow Them to Earn It
Q. Our daughter just turned 10 years old. Is now the right time to start giving her an allowance, and start teaching her about money?
A pastor in Washington state concluded his Father’s Day sermon recently by praying this: “Lord...don’t let us be content as men to just let life go by, to see the world around us burn. God, instead, help us to get involved.”
As I reminisce on the goodness of God, I cannot help but to thank him specifically for His unwavering love for me, my family and especially my loving husband. Without a doubt, I know my husband is who he is because of his mom’s Godly influence.
I first met A about 2 years ago. She was seeking counseling to receive help coming to terms with her diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer. A had been first diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2012. She received intensive treatment and went into remission. She and her children, her husband and her extensive extended family were beginning to feel safe from cancer. However, she had a recurrence in 2015 and learned that the cancer had spread into her bones. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. A once again began receiving treatment for cancer and continued doing so when we began working together.
RRJ: Growing up in the small town of Hoke’s Bluff, Alabama, what qualities did you gain from your community that led you to be a Christ follower?
Shawn: My grandparents, specifically my Baptist-preacher grandfather, my youth choir director, and a friend’s mom, influenced me by being loving, genuine Christian examples. They saw a kid who wasn’t perfect, but that knew what perfection in Christ was and they just fed into that. Being in a small town, with people who had good values instilled in them early in life, made loving Jesus much easier than today’s kids have it with so many electronic distractions. We were outside – a lot – soaking in all God had to offer us in nature. It was a simpler time with good, solid, mostly like-minded people. It was also a community that allowed other parents to hold us accountable when we messed up. Loving Jesus was the norm, not the exception. Also, my parents’ generosity and loving spirits cannot be undervalued in who I am in Christ today.
When I Am Afraid
Edward T. Welch
When I Am Afraid by Edward T. Welch is a short book. It is also a very powerful book. The author sets forth his intended goals at the beginning of the book.
RRJ: As a manager at Sam’s Club, what does your job entail?
Michael: I assist and develop in directing our management team in all facility operations. I assist in providing supervision and development opportunities for members of management and hourly associates. I assist in directing and guiding members of management and hourly associates on proper member service approaches and techniques. I contribute to membership and sales growth. I coordinate, complete and oversee job-related activities and assignments. I ensure compliance with company policies and procedures and support our company mission, values and standards of ethics and integrity.