Years ago, I was standing in the front yard of one of the boys’ homes at Sheridan House having a heated discussion with one of the twelve-year-old boys in the program.  He had been accused of doing something at school …something he had done many times before. This child was pleading with me to believe that he had not done what he was accused of. I told him that history had proven otherwise and that someone said they saw him at the place where the incident happened. “No, that can’t be true!” he pleaded. “I was with Mr. Smith (one […]

An on-ramp into home Last month, we began to step into a deeper understanding of what home truly means. Not simply a physical place, but the sense of home. The people we feel at home with. The peace of home that settles us, steadies us and reminds us who we belong to. Because the truest home we will ever know isn’t defined by walls or an address. It’s found in being at home with our Creator. There is something sacred about realizing that God doesn’t just invite us into His presence. He chooses to make His home in our hearts. […]

Have you ever had a moment where you feel like, “Is this real life?” That there are just too many family and parenting responsibilities, and it is impossible to get them all done? There must be a hidden camera somewhere in the house just waiting to film you as you crack under the pressure. In fact, by the way you hear your children talk to each other, it sounds as if they are about to vote each other off the island. “I can’t get my children to talk nicely to each other let alone take care of each other,” one […]

A sacred season remembered We’ve just come through one of the most meaningful seasons of the year: tables were set, prayers were prayed and bread was broken around the table. For many of us, this past holiday season wasn’t just about celebration, it was about connection, restoration and belonging. And I just want to pause and honor that. Because what we experienced together around the table wasn’t ordinary. From birthday gatherings to Thanksgiving to Christmas dinner, I found myself sitting at new tables this season, sacred spaces where healing took place, where stories were shared, where laughter made room for […]

Imagine beings from outer space arriving on our planet the first week in December. They would have to choose one house to secretly observe and they select yours. From the first week in December until the twenty-fifth they watch a tremendous build-up for some kind of celebration called Christmas. This is a time when parents pass on something to their children. What would be the aliens’ take-away from your home? What would they report they saw you passing on to your children?  What is this celebration all about?   A gift giving frenzy For many church goers, the Christmas celebration […]