And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:37-41; NKJV)

It’s... more

Sometimes, it is difficult for us, as adoptive parents, to remember that the reason we have children is because they suffered a great loss. In our happiness of being parents, we forget our children first belonged to another family. In order for them to become our children, they had to be separated from their first family. Separation from your family is a painful process. I believe the grief of loss is similar to the grief experienced when a loved one dies. Just as you never forget a deceased loved one, a child can never forget a first family. Periodically, memories of a deceased... more

As a parent, spouse, co-worker – plain old human being – you are going to be angry sometimes. However, we’ve learned that, though God sanctions anger, He puts a prohibition on it. So, it begs the question, “How can we be angry and not displease God?”

Galatians 5 (“The Fruits of the Spirit”) provides some clues:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against... more

“Be angry; and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26)

This verse tells us two important things – first off, God gives us permission to be angry at times! However, and secondly, there is a caveat – there is a way to express that anger that spills over into sinful activity. So, what are the "danger signs?"

For some answers, let’s look at 1 Corinthians (the “Love Chapter”):

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not... more