For the people of southeast Texas and much of Florida, the value of a firm foundation has become all-too real as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. They have learned firsthand the importance that a firm foundation plays in the structural integrity of any building.  Without a strong footing, a building will fail when placed under the stress of strong winds and violent storms. Jesus was a builder, and he also understood the need for a firm foundation. In Matthew 7, he amazes his audience with this simple teaching: “Therefore, everyone who hears these words [...]

On a business trip several years ago, I visited the construction site of a major hotel and conference center. As I entered the construction trailer, it was clear the superintendent was frustrated. Although construction was well underway, he quickly explained, the plans were not yet complete. He was building blind! Sounds risky, right? Building a hotel without a firm plan? What about building a family without a plan? As fathers, we often take each day as it comes – building blindly. We have so many options for how we’ll spend our time – golfing, hiking, traveling. But we’re not [...]

I love Chicago. I travel all over the country to a number of great destinations, but the Windy City always remains at the top of my list. Top reason? My wife, Kristin, and I got engaged here (amazingly, she really did say, “I’d love to!”). And, of course, I love the museums, restaurants, parks and shopping. But the feature that jumps out at me most is the architecture. The amazing artistry designers have expressed in these buildings makes Chicago an inspiring tribute to how humans can bring beauty into the world. A good friend of mine, who was a [...]

Imagine you suddenly inherit a great fortune from a family member you have never met. Sounds like the opening scene to a great adventure film, right? Actually, it really did happen. For years, my friend, Frank, and his wife led a happy, humble life. Frank’s wife was adopted as a baby, but never pursued a search for her biological parents. As it turns out, they were searching for her. The parents, who were young when they gave her up for adoption, later married and had more children. They wanted to reconnect with the child they had given up so [...]