In response to losing loved ones I wrote a poem called The Days After Death. I pray it brings you comfort in various seasons as you miss loved ones.

In honor of Mother’s Day I would like to celebrate my mother, Jeanne Bapov. As a single mother, she worked hard to support our family and provide for us. I remember when she moved us from a two bedroom home, where I and my brothers shared one room, into a three-bedroom home. That is huge. Looking back now that I have my own family I understand the significance and sacrifice of it…

My son, Ray, is about to turn 5 in March and doesn’t like getting his hair cut. He has difficulty with people in his face, the sound of clippers and just sitting still in the barber chair. His hair was getting out of control as it hadn’t been cut since the Fall. I delayed as long as possible. I bit the bullet and reached out to Jon, the shop founder and owner, about getting in to get Ray’s haircut.

“As a presenter, you are there to help the individuals in your audience. This is not a performance, it is a conversation to encourage, uplift, and advance the lives of those you are sharing with…”

“…we are conditioned to pick a side and stay in our corner. This creates an echo chamber where we stay with people who think us and agree with our opinions. Andy Stanley said, ‘It’s easy to meet in the echo chambers of extremes where everyone agrees, but nothing is accomplished.’

How do we leave our echo chambers and become a bridge builder to those who differ than us?”