In 2013 I began my journey of leading a small grass roots organization, the Michigan Abolitionist Project (MAP), toward tackling what many say is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time—human trafficking. During the last nine years, we have empowered...
I resolve to _____________. You fill in the blank. Can’t decide? I’ll make it an easy multiple choice for you: Lose weight Start exercising at least 4 times a week Have a weekly date night with my spouse Start a...
When I was a child, I did not believe in Santa Claus. I believed in Jesus. My family viewed Santa in much the same way as we viewed Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Santa lived in the storybook called The Night...
Being a parent at Christmastime is much different than being a child during Christmastime. When I was a child it was a carefree, stress-free, hustle-bustle-free time, absolutely the best! Now that I have three children ages 9, 7 and 3...
I’ve seemed to have lost my identity, and I’m still trying to find it. I realized my identity was lost toward the beginning of COVID in March 2020 when I was invited to participate in a Bible study through Live...
There are days when you wake up and think to yourself, ‘it’s going to be a good day’ and others when you realize your life isn’t what you thought it was. A year ago, Charlie woke up and got ready...
I remember sitting alone on the piano bench in the student center of my university. After being joined by a friend, I decided to play her a song I liked. I didn’t think much of it, I just played the...
“Camping? Are you Serious?” That was one of the responses I received from my then 10-year-old when I decided to buy a camper. A full-blown travel trailer! You see, we had a bit of a cold and rainy experience the first...
I still remember the day like it was yesterday. The year was 2015. It was a hot, Saturday afternoon in June and my wife, Kathy, and I were headed to meet some new people that go to our church. They...
The year was 1982. It was a chilly Michigan May night and my Dad was sitting in his favorite rocker watching the 11 o’clock news. A loud noise interrupted the rhythm of the news. What was that? He ran upstairs…nothing! Back down the stairs into the basement…there’s fire and smoke!...
May is Mental Health Awareness month in the United States. I suppose in past years a typical reaction for many of us might have been casual disinterest, but this year is different. Whether you have a family member or friend that has dealt with mental health issues, or you’ve experienced it...
Several times a week someone asks me: How is your husband? I answer: He is doing well. This question is asked because my husband, Jake, has lived in quarantine since March 12, 2020 and, yes, he is just fine. People...