Sterling Griggs

When you become a parent your life is immediately thrust into the realm of all sorts of new and arresting noises. I vividly remember the first few days home with our first born and basically waking up every time she whimpered or even stirred. These were new noises and I wasn't exactly sure how I was supposed to respond to them. The regular crying for food and for changing took weeks getting used to. As my children grow older the noises change in their dynamic but not in their frequency. Instead of crying to be changed or to be held there is now the onslaught of almost constant chatter - What's for supper? Can I go to a friend's house to play? She took the toy from me! Is the moon really made of cheese? It's my turn! Mom and dad, I aced my test today in school! But I don't want to go to bed yet, I'm not tired! I always wondered how parents could seemingly tune out the chaos of their children when everyone else in the room was obviously affected by it, and now...

There is nothing quite better for me than to be at home. As much as I love the idea of traveling and seeing and experiencing new places, I am always grateful to be able to come back home. In my teenage years there were times I could not wait to get out of the house "for good," but even then I would always seem to gravitate back to that place where I felt most at secure. Everyone has a place where they feel safe and at ease. In my home, I feel so very satisfied when I am sitting at the kitchen table reading or typing on my computer (as I am now). This is a special place for me, especially when I can withdraw here away from the craziness of life and enjoy even a few moments alone. These moments become more valuable to me as the schedule of my days require more time from me. Where is your safe place, your sanctum where you can get away from it all and be lavished in solitude? Do you have such a place? As much as I enjoy withdrawing for some peace and quiet, all of time in th...

It is often said in Christian circles that God is a God of second chances. What is meant by that is that we serve a God who is able to overcome our sinfulness and basic ignorance to love us and He extends mercy to us even though we don't deserve it. When we fall down, He picks us back up. This is a beautiful picture of the grace with which God daily lavishes upon the believer. But what of those who don't yet know Christ? Is God the God of second chances for the ones who have yet to surrender their lives to Him? Thanks to the power of social media, I have been able to reconnect with many of the guys that I spent much time with in college. I marvel at the careers and families that they now have (and me too) given the many stupid things we did in college. Most of the guys, even though they are now responsible adults with jobs and children, still seem to be stuck in a party lifestyle that has continued to suck them in since they were younger. But there are some who have been...