In a little more than three months I have a very significant birthday. The big 4-0 is on the way and it has generated some of those big life assessing conversations that everyone probably ought to have with themselves from time to time. I am a big proponent of birthdays. And especially having had...

Except for a few unfortunate and self-imposed attempts at weight loss, I have never known hunger. The refrigerator, freezer and pantry in my home are all full and there has never been a time in my life when things were otherwise. Yet, just last year, here in America, more than one in five children...

(Welcome to Part 4 of the Palmetto Family Countdown to Christmas. Click HERE for Part 1, HERE for Part 2 and HERE for Part 3.) 7 Give a gift of food. In a season when we all celebrate with–even obsess over–food and enjoy shared meals, it is easy to forget those who do not have that opportunity....

(Welcome to Part 3 of the Palmetto Family Countdown to Christmas. Click HERE if you missed Part 1 and HERE if you missed Part 2). 14 Help your children understand how widespread God’s love is by preparing a “shoebox” for a child or adopting a child from the “angel tree” and preparing...

(Welcome to Part 2 of the Palmetto Family Countdown to Christmas. Click HERE if you missed Part 1). 21 Donate a special book to your church’s library, the children’s ward at the hospital or even your child’s classroom. If you are uncertain about a book, the librarian will...

I have always been a Christmas Geek. Like clockwork, my house is decked with lights and garland, bows and stockings, cards to and from friends all over, lots of presents wrapped in shiny paper, fifteen different kinds of homemade cookies and snacks, and a very big, real tree with a big gold bow on...

Especially given some of the negative and naive perceptions I once had about missions and missionaries, it seems kind of ironic that I’ve grown into quite a mission buff. Growing up, I didn’t know any missionaries, but always imagined them to be people who were just a little bit “different.” From...