Reflections

  It was   1976 . America was celebrating its Bicentennial, fresh on the heels of Watergate and searching for steady ground. At the same time, my parents were in the prime of their careers, growing   Swicegood Real Estate of Mocksville   and moving into a brand-new office they had just built on Salisbury Street. I was nine years old, watching both my family and my country find their footing.   That year, I played  George Washington  in Mocksville Elementary School’s Bicentennial celebration. My grandmother Gobble, lovingly sewed what I believe were three Revolutionary-style uniforms for me—complete with knickers and buttons. I didn’t just wear them for the play; I wore them proudly to school and even on a family trip to Williamsburg. It was a time filled with patriotism, community pride, and a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.   Now, nearly fifty years later, America is preparing to celebrate its  250th anniversary . Look...

As the calendar turns and a new year dawns, many of us feel the familiar pull to start fresh. New Year’s resolutions are born from hope—the belief that tomorrow can be better than today, and that with intention, discipline, and grace, we can become better versions of ourselves. The Challenges We Face Let’s be honest: resolutions are easy to make and hard to keep. The excitement of January often collides with the reality of February. Life gets busy. Motivation fades. Old habits tug at us when stress rises or routines are disrupted. One of the greatest challenges is consistency. Real change doesn’t come from one big decision; it comes from hundreds of small ones made day after day. Another challenge is unrealistic expectations—setting goals so lofty that missing a single step feels like failure. When we fall short, discouragement can creep in, tempting us to quit altogether. There’s also the challenge of patience. Progress is rarely linear. Some days feel like breakthroughs; ot...

When a parent is missing, there is a void in the life of a child. But often, there is an even larger, heavier hole in the heart of the spouse. Children feel the absence in moments—birthdays, ballgames, graduations, bedtime prayers. They feel it when they look into the stands or wait for a familiar voice that never comes. Yet for the spouse, the absence is constant. It settles into the quiet hours, the empty side of the bed, the decisions that once were shared, and the loneliness that arrives when the house finally grows still. Loss does not always announce itself loudly. More often,  I have seen it whisper—through routine, responsibility, and resilience. A widow or widower must carry grief while still carrying life forward. There are meals to cook, bills to pay, children to raise, and faith to hold onto when strength feels thin. Scripture speaks directly into this reality. “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their time of t...

This week has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. I had the privilege of taking my 82-year-old mother to the Holy Land—her very first time walking where the Scriptures unfolded. She amazed everyone on the trip, averaging 3.8 miles a day on foot. It was taxing at times, but absolutely heart-filling . Watching her take it all in brought the Bible to life in a way I will cherish forever. Where Jesus Walked — A Journey Through the Galilee Our adventure we “set sail” on the Sea of Galilee , where we enjoyed a peaceful boat ride with worship and reflection. To glide across those waters—the same waters Jesus calmed—was unforgettable (Mark 4:39). We visited the Mount of Beatitudes , standing where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Then at Capernaum , we walked among the ruins of Peter’s mother-in-law’s house (Luke 4:38–39) and saw the synagogue where Jesus taught. One of the most powerful moments came at the Jordan River , where several of us experience...

  En Gedi — Springs in the Desert One of the unforgettable stops on our journey was En Gedi, the desert oasis where David hid from King Saul. Standing among the waterfalls and lush greenery tucked inside the Judean wilderness, it was easy to understand why David fled here for refuge. It was in this very place that David spared Saul’s life, choosing mercy over revenge: “Then David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe… And David said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’” — 1 Samuel 24:4–6 As we walked the paths beside the springs, we were reminded that God provides refreshment even in the driest seasons of life. “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” — Psalm 42:1 En Gedi was a beautiful picture of God’s sustaining grace — living water in the middle of the wilderness. Then,  we visited Qumran, the desert site where the Dead Sea Scrolls—some of the oldest biblical manuscripts ...

Today was another full, unforgettable day in the Holy Land—layer upon layer of Scripture coming alive right beneath our feet. Caesarea Maritima — Where Kings Fell and Paul Stood Firm We began at Caesarea Maritima, the Roman masterpiece along the Mediterranean coast. This is the very place where King Herod Agrippa I strutted in pride—and God humbled him. Acts 12 tells the dramatic story: “Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.” — Acts 12:23 Standing in the theater where this event unfolded gives the passage a whole new weight. This is also where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned for two years, held under Felix and Festus until he appealed to Caesar: “I appeal to Caesar!” — Acts 25:11 “And he stayed two whole years in his own rented quarters…” — Acts 28:30 Caesarea reminds us that kingdoms rise, kings boast, rulers oppress—but God’s Word marches on, unstoppable. ⸻ Mount Carmel — Wher...