Joe is the father of two sons with hemophilia. He and his wife, Cazandra, are active members in the bleeding disorders community and often facilitate workshops both locally and nationally. Joe is a pastor in the United Methodist Church and writes a blog about spirituality and faith. You may follow his blog at www.joekmac.com.When my youngest son, Caeleb, now 17, was 11 months old, he had a bleeding episode that shook us to our core. We’d recently moved to New Mexico from Houston and didn’t yet know our new medical team. Because my wife, Cazandra, had promised to play oboe at…
Given all the mass shootings, economic uncertainty, and contentious political discourse happening in the United States right now, it’s easy to see that our country is in a state of chaos. Yet, I continue to draw hope from the words of Maya Angelou: “When you know better, do…
As a pastor, one of my favorite things to do is to mentor men and women who respond to a call to ordained ministry. I enjoy theological conversations that spark great debates and critical analysis. Mentees and I form a collegial bond that lasts many years. First, I help them…
First, I want to make something clear. This column isn’t titled “In the Twinkling of an Eye: The Money Issue.” When I speak of investing, I mean directing our energy to different areas of our life. Think of it as depositing essential acts of kindness and assistance to those we…
This time of year, I hear many stories of people committing to change and promising to embrace a new way of living. Unfortunately, many of us quickly forget our resolutions. A sense of failure can seep into our lives as, once again, we fail to honor promises made to ourselves.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, I can’t help but remember a particular year in the MacDonald household. In 2013, my youngest son, Caeleb, couldn’t catch a break from hemophilia. Constant spontaneous bleeding episodes into his right knee and ankle kept my boy in the hospital more often…
In the Christian tradition, the season of Advent occurs for the four weeks leading to Christmas. Through the time leading up to the birth of Christ, we take a fearless moral inventory and address the issues that keep us from experiencing hope and contentment. I often equate Advent as a…
I tell my sons that I love them every day and at the end of every conversation. I can count on one hand the number of days I haven’t spoken to them. However, sometimes I fear my words fall on deaf ears, as my pronouncement of devotion may sound repetitive…
I do not give up. It’s in my DNA to find answers to questions, even if it takes a long time. I hope my sons, who both have hemophilia, inherit this characteristic of seeking out answers. I pray they have the strength to never accept defeat. I tell them…
Today, as we take time to celebrate the gift of one another, I can’t help but think about the many trials my 16-year-old son, Caeleb, faced this year as a result of hemophilia. As a child, Caeleb struggled with frequent breakthrough bleeds, which have left him with excruciating…
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