Three years ago the signs of deep neglect came to the surface in my life. In working to get Community of Hope birthed, I had invested 7 years of energy and time that had left me depleted. I had neglected my own health. Drained, passionless, and angry, my emotional, physical and spiritual health was anemic. I came close to walking away, not only from COH, but from the ministry that I had so deeply loved. In sharing my plight with COH leaders, they quickly required that I take a sabbatical (time away to reflect, reconnect, and refuel.) There was no guarantee that I would return. But in God's grace, I did. I am deeply grateful.

This past Sunday I spoke about the American Idol of "materialism." More specifically I referred to it in terms of "greed." American author Iving Kristol said, "Being frustrated is disagreeable, but the real disasters of life begin when you get what you want."