There are days, and sometimes weeks, when disappointing circumstances can seem overwhelming. You feel like you're barely keeping your emotional head above the water, and then you see a giant wave approaching. For some reason, hard times come in blasts, not trickles.

There are so many good things in life that God has given us to enjoy. Family, friends, work, church, physical exercise, hobbies, outdoor recreation. Why then are we so unhappy?

Poor guy. He made his dream escape! And it’s not easy to escape from the Washington State Penitentiary. It took a lot of planning, perfect timing, and hard work. But he did it! Then, however, he had to elude authorities.

I was 46 and leaving a church Linda and I started in our living room 19 years before. Our kids ranged from 11-19. We were leaving a larger church to come to a smaller one. We knew this project was different from church planting.

It was tearing me up. I had to watch my son take care of a discipline issue with one of his daughters. It was hard to watch. I knew it was necessary, and I’m so glad he didn’t let it go and take the easy way out.