There was an event in Junior High School that everyone feared. It took place during gym class. The gym teacher would select two students to be the team captains while all remaining students lined up in a straight line standing shoulder to shoulder across the gym. Everyone knew the next step was the selection of teams and it would be in order of popularity and ability. This single occurrence could be a make or break event in the life of a Junior High student. If selected fi

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 It is so reasonable to be thankful when things are easy, and everything is smooth sailing in our lives and when all of are needs are being met. But during times of crisis and bad experiences, it is challenging to praise God and thank him. The Bible tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, not just when things are going well. There was a time in my life when I fel

When I was 15, I spent the summer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with some friends. They lived less than 300 yards from Lake Michigan and I spent nearly every day at the water either fishing or swimming. The family I was staying with had a friend who bought a large, old fishing boat that he wanted to fix up and sell. He asked me if I would like to help him with the repairs. Of course, I was more than eager to show my ship building abilities. The day he showed me the pa