"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess 5:18 NIV) "Why are you smiling?", my daughter asked me the other day. It was too complicated to answer her right away. I had been lost in thought. I had been thinking about my...
I just love weekday afternoons in May. It is during this special time that I get to see one of the most wonderful sights in the world. It is a sight that teaches me again and again about what life truly is all about. I get to see it mainly when I go to pick up my...
In the fourth chapter of John we find an account of Jesus and his disciples in Samaria. He sends his disciples for food while he stays at the well. After a while a woman comes to get water. Jesus asks for a drink, but we find that the woman is really the thirsty one....
We convince ourselves that life will be better when we have a baby or another one. When we finally get what we thought we wanted, we find ourselves exhausted. Then, we conclude we will be more content when the children are older. Only, they do get older. Then, we have...
The dandelions are back here in the fields around my home. My favorite flowers are always among the first to show up in Spring and among the last to leave in Fall. Their sweet, gentle beauty always warms my heart, delights my eye, and brings joy to my soul. They...
"For as he thinks in his heart so is he. . ." —Proverbs 23:7 (AMP) I'll never amount to anything. . .I'm a nobody . . .nobody likes me. . .I'm just born to be this way. . . We often hear thoughts like these roaming around in our head. What we believe is a collection...
There is a story from long ago that I really love. A young novice had entered a monastery run by a wise abbot. One day the abbot told his monks that he was going to share a secret teaching with them that would bring them lasting peace and happiness, but if they shared...
It is Summer here in the mountains of my home. A season also known by another name: road construction time. There is paving, ditching, and tree trimming going on everywhere. This year there are also new water lines being installed in a nearby town so I find myself...
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,...
Have you ever had unwanted house guests? I am talking about the ones who wear out their welcome in the first two minutes yet plan to stay forever. I am talking about the ones who trash the place, eat all the food, sit in your favorite chair, and take over your bed. I...