by Mikel Berger

I think I might have found the worst meeting request ever. A few weeks ago I taught in the Connection Hour from Nehemiah 6 as part of our series on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Up to this point, Nehemiah has followed in the footsteps of Ezra to rebuild and repopulate Jerusalem for the people of God. But Nehemiah wasn’t a priest like Ezra; he was a servant of the king who was right at the heart of everything (Neh. 1:11). Nehemiah heard about the struggle of his people -- God’s people -- in Jerusalem. He wept, he mourned, he fasted, and he prayed in response. And after hearing from God, he set out to Jerusalem on his rebuilding mission.

by Will Peycke

Two weeks ago, I blew it as a dad. At Disney World. Oh, I did all the vacation “dad jobs”: navigating security checkpoints with four kids and a stroller, changing diapers in airplane bathrooms, loading vans, hauling luggage, playing in the pool with my kids, you name it. But I neglected something vital. To make it worse, it’s something I’m constantly preaching to Kossuth parents.

by Abraham Cremeens

Never underestimate the power of affirmation and encouragement. My friend Trent and I recently ran a race together. We signed up for two different distances, so our competitions didn’t coincide. He finished well before I did, so I assumed he had left. It was a cold and windy day after all. As I neared the finish line I was completely spent, ready to give up. I had given it my all and was in quite a lot of pain. I had about half of a mile left but it felt like twenty miles were ahead in my mind. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Trent. He cheered me on. He reminded me that the finish line was just around the corner. I picked up my pace. I thought, “I can do this.”