Living in the suburbs in the 80's, my cul-de-sac served as the activity hub for the neighborhood. Bikes left in the front yard were akin to social media posts that fun was going down. In the warm summer months, we'd play outside from sun up to sun down. Some games got quite competitive, especially Tag, whenever my friend Keith played.

As believers, how we live our lives should be contagious to others. Culture should notice how we live free and be curious about what drives this freedom. Unfortunately, many of us live as if following Jesus excludes us from having any fun….

The Fourth of July is significant to me because I became a naturalized American citizen in 1976. You may recognize that 1976 was also America's Bicentennial - the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Another reason is that most of my childhood was spent growing up in a military family. My dad was a 20-year Navy veteran who loved God, his family, and his country.

As I grow older, time seems to speed up rather than slow down. There are moments when I have this out-of-body type experience where I can see life speeding by me in a blur. All my efforts to decelerate its progress or hit pause to catch my breath are futile.

Most people who know me would say that I am a people-person. Over our 36 years of marriage, my husband and I have shortened the gap between our social thresholds. His is higher than it was and mine is a little lower bringing us closer together in our difference. I think it is our differences that have made us so much better together and being together is absolutely one of the things I find great delight in.

Where's Waldo? Even after 32 years, people still struggle to pinpoint where a particular individual donned in a red and white striped sweater and glasses hangs out…

A few summers ago, a storm rolled into town, and our family headed to Wrightsville Beach to check out the surf. The waves were impressive. They rose to great heights and then came crashing down. Surfers lined the horizon, but all the other beachgoers stayed out of the water for safety, everyone except me…

I’ll be honest: At times, I feel embarrassed to be a Christian. On more than one occasion, I have downplayed my faith to avoid being seen as “uncool” or “unintellectual.” Being a Jesus follower doesn’t always give you street cred, especially as a young person. I have had countless peers presume I am unacademic, purely because I believe in God. How could an educated person come to such a ridiculous conclusion?

I’ve wanted a lot of things in my lifetime thus far. I want health and happiness for my loved ones. I want a vocation that fulfills me. I want authentic relationships with people that I deeply connect with. I want justice for those who have been wronged. I want freedom from temptation and strongholds. I want healing for myself and for others. I want to know the answers to my biggest questions. I have a lot of desires, and these are just some of the more honorable ones!

My parents go all out when watching their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers play on Sunday (please excuse their horrible taste in football teams). They deliver quite the spread on game day. No matter how hard I try, I get heartburn from eating too many appetizers…

It doesn't take much for me to cry: Hallmark commercials, a country song about a boy and his grandpa, a hand-written note from a beloved friend that speaks encouragement and life into a mundane moment. I have felt things deeply my whole life, and those feelings often spill over into a cascading waterfall of tears. I used to hate that. I hate that when I cry, I usually cannot speak. It can be so frustrating.

Our brains are hard-wired to focus on the negative. Early in human history, this tendency was essential to our survival. This predisposition serves a critical function: it prompts us to take action and problem-solve. Negatively salient stimuli inevitably draw our eyes and capture our attention. Focusing on the negative is a natural inclination, but one that we are called to resist when our life is not at risk.

I remember how nervous I was proposing to my now wife. My concern wasn't because I thought her answer swung in the balance (after all, I'm quite a catch...I kid, I kid). It had everything to do with making it a memorable moment, and plans going smoothly…

I'm not much for conspiracy theories, but I do believe my smartphone listens in on my conversations. I've lost count of how many times this has happened: I'll be talking about something random with friends and the next time I scroll through social media or…

Go with me for a minute to middle school summer camp. As your heart races, you walk to the edge of the diving board. Feeling 100 feet in the air, you're short of breath and unsure. What if you pass out and fall off the board? Your feet are slipping. You turn around, thinking you cannot possibly do this; you'd rather face embarrassment…

I have a lovely friend who loves to give gifts. She believes that every situation is a gift-giving opportunity. I don't just mean on your birthday or anniversary; she would bring a gift simply because it was Tuesday and the sun was shining. Her heart delights in watching her friends' faces light up when she walks into their house, and she always says, "I picked up a little something for you." I treasure every gift she has ever given me and love them all. Whenever she goes into a store and sees something that reminds her of me, she thinks about how well she knows me and the things I like.

Jealousy is a gnarly disease. In the age of social media, jealousy has run especially rampant. I don’t have to scroll through Instagram for long before I lose all sense of gratitude for the life I lead. Within minutes, I’m overcome with envy. My focus shifts from all that God has given me to what I lack. When jealousy consumes my heart, it leaves little room for praise and gratitude. Instead of delighting in the Lord, I pout because I’m not on some whirlwind backpacking trip through Europe or sailing on a boat through the Bahamas.

I'm a guy, and I cry every time I watch The Notebook. There I said it. I'm glad I finally got that secret off my chest. I know there will be some who demand I turn in my Man Card on the spot for showing emotion, especially for a "chick flick." But, the love story moved me...well, to tears…

A few years back, my wife and I were talking to our oldest daughter Madison at the dinner table when the topic of boys came up. She grinned and reminded both of us that she was now sixteen and that our archaic dating rule had now expired…

“First of all, keep him out of the light, he hates bright light, especially sunlight, it’ll kill him. Second, don’t give him any water, not even to drink. But the most important rule, the rule you can never forget, no matter how much he cries, no matter how much he begs, never feed him after midnight.”