The One That Got Away

Yesterday I received a magazine in the mail from my journalism school. I flipped to the back to see what some of my classmates had been up to, and I saw his name. His is the name that was announced as the winner of the prestigious scholarship I was supposed to receive. And for years I had imagined how my professional (more…)

Givers and Takers

The world is populated by two types of people: those who trust Jesus for their salvation and those who don’t. But within those two groups are the two subgroups of givers and takers.

Givers are especially good at giving and not so good at taking. Takers are especially good at taking and not so good at giving. Takers are drawn to givers. (more…)

The Giver of Good Gifts

We put so much thought into Christmas presents, and they are such a source of stress. Will the recipient be happy? Should I include a gift receipt? Did I spend enough? Did I spend too much? Will our gifts even be remembered in years to come?

Some of our gifts may get packed away  or even regifted. But still we give, because (more…)

I Love Me, I Love Me Not

I vacillate through life regarding myself alternately with loathing and pride. It’s a see-saw of self-deprecation and self-adoration: I love me, I love me not.

Ugliness spews forth from my mouth like fire from a dragon, and I mentally flagellate myself like some kind of ancient monk. I write something I’m particularly proud of, and I’m a modern-day Steinbeck. I regard the (more…)