Have you ever lost a pet? Or better yet have you outlived your pet? If so then you know the empty hole that they can leave. As a pet owner since early childhood, I have endured living beyond their time all too many times. It never gets easier, and you don’t miss them any less. I woke this morning to a quiet house. Well, as quiet as a house with three large, needy rescue pups can be. It was quiet as I did not have the motion detected Hue light come on before I entered our front room. Quiet, without a hungry, sleepy “meow” to greet me under my bare feet. No pitter-patter paw prints across the floor leading me to the kitchen to his bowl. Last evening I placed my furkid kitty of thirteen years in the ground. He had lost his battle with age, kidney failure, and more. I left yesterday morning to go to work knowing he was not doing very well. Before I returned home he crawled into the bed that up until recently he rarely used and went to sleep. Looking as if he had gone peacefully to join all my pets before him. (Yes I firmly believe that animals also go over the rainbow bridge and await us playfully in heaven.) A good fight had been fought. He allowed myself and my wife our own personal moments over the last few days to love on him. We knew his precious time with us was near, we prayed over him, […]

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Adoption is something that is near and dear to every believer’s heart, Biblical Adoption changed my life forever. Ever meet someone who appears to be standoffish?  Maybe the walls they have up are blocking you from getting to know them. Whenever you ask them how they are you get one word answers like ‘fine’ or ‘okay’. They resist seeking relationships, going after goals or things that they want. Many people consider these behaviors as odd or even antisocial. Hopefully you will recognize that these behaviors may represent more than how they appear. Do you know someone who hides their own achievements, who would rather remain in the shadows. They separate themselves from the crowds. Usually they don’t care for the spotlight. Even on their own birthdays they  are somber and would rather be left alone. I am referring to the signs that can be misinterpreted as depression or behavior issues. In fact they are simply signs of adoption. Depending on the age the child was when adopted the signs can become more evident. I speak from experience as I was adopted as a child. Lived with the feeling that I never really fit in. Always feeling as if there was something missing. Not that there really was, but the longing for more still remained. Feelings of abandonment and rejection envelopes your emotions. Buried under trust issues and loneliness. The walls get built by bricks of bad memories and hurtful insults. Anger seeps in unexpectedly and consumes your mind. Wondering ‘why me‘ and ‘what if’s‘ drown your ability to […]

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January has been designated ‘Human Trafficking’ month. Coincidentally during the same month is an event that creates a peak season. As we near the end of January, and get ready to watch the big game on February 1st. The Superbowl is estimated to bring in excess of 500 million to the Arizona area. Under the lights of the stadium. In the shadows of the dimly lit streets. A secret lies waiting. Depending on the thousands of fans attending the game’s festivities. Innocence will be lost before the game ends. A 9.5 billion dollar industry will use the national spotlight to expand its impact. While many think they would recognize a sex slave. A victim could be the person sitting right next to you. Possibly the stranger you are about to meet. Pimps will follow the money. The Superbowl will once again prove to be a premium market. However, maybe not the increase as previously touted. Any event that draws crowds become targets for human traffickers, both sellers and buyers. Human trafficking is an everyday problem, 365 days a year. One that every person should be aware of and can help prevent. California, Texas and even my own home state of Florida have the most confirmed incidents of trafficking in the US. Worldwide it is estimated to impact in excess of 20 million victims. Slavery no longer requires chains and bondage of days past. Much of it exists in homes in our own cities. A simple click of a mouse, another life sold. Pornography has become […]

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