After a peaceful night of sleep you awaken to the abrupt noise of your alarm. Startled and disoriented, you hit the snooze button and pull the warm covers over your face. Your eyelids droop shut as you doze off into a cozy dreamland. Minutes later you hear an intruder knocking loudly at your door. “Wake up!” You grunt, rub your eyes, skip your shower,...

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NIV) Over Easter break I spent seven days in Mexico on a missions trip. Our team served through Vacation Bible School and church construction. On Wednesday we took a break from our normal routine and did...

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14 ESV) I want you to think about a famous person who you absolutely adored growing up. Maybe it was an athlete or an actor. For me, it was Michael Jordan. Though he was cut from his high school varsity team, Jordan went on to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He shocked the world...

A little over a year ago, moths started taking over our kitchen pantry. They got into our food and started multiplying like crazy. It was truly unsettling to see a moth fluttering around every time I opened the pantry door. Sure, we killed a bunch, but they kept on coming back. This moth problem was getting out of hand. I remember eating a box of raisins in my first...

This past weekend I celebrated my 18th birthday with friends and family. As it would turn out, my birthday was the day after our basketball state playoff game down south. It was awesome hanging out with some of my closest friends. From staying up late with teammates to sight seeing at Santa Monica Beach, I had a great weekend. It was very special for me to receive...