Today is Father’s Day, and I’m thinking of my dad as a minister of thirty years. He knew how to take a Bible passage and make it understandable to all of his congregations. Once a congregation understood how caring and knowledgeable my dad was, the membership of his congregations always grew. Along with my mother, the duo became a powerhouse of Christian love and grace. My brother and I were always a part of their successful ministerial career. My dad’s…..
God created the heavens and the earth. Both were beautiful beyond description, but the earth, ah the earth, defied description. The flowers, the trees and bushes, the multi-colored grasses, creatures large and small, the vividly azure seas, the blue skies, the puffy white clouds, the brilliant sun, all of the changing seasons, and man: all so beautiful and all so vulnerable to ourselves and everything that makes us who we are. Lest we forget; He wanted us to take care…..
As I was watering my new grass areas and my flowers this morning, I sensed the presence of God in my gardens. He was admiring His creations, but He had a troubled look on His face. He has asked us to take care of the world He gave us; somehow, I feel He’s disappointed in us. We seem to use the gifts He has given us for so many other reasons than what He wanted them used for. In our…..
I met you when your grandpa and I became committed partners. I became your step-grandma, and you were in between your junior and senior years in high school. You were looking at colleges, and I hoped that you would find the right one for your dreams. You tried college for a year but felt more compelled to join the army. We were so proud of you, and we knew the dangers you’d face once you were deployed somewhere in the…..
Yesterday, my private music students presented a beautiful recital for their families and friends in my church’s sanctuary. They far surpassed any of their past practices in their lessons. They were polished, poised, and just terrific! I couldn’t have asked for more, and I am sure that God smiled when He heard their musical conversations. Teaching is leading children to understand their lives and helping them realize their true potentials. We may never know how powerful our lessons have been…..
My mother was such a blessing to our family and to the world. She waited on so many things in her life, but she grew more courageous and strong by the waiting. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14) Even in death, my mother’s courage and strength have continued to guide my voice, hands, feet, heart, and eyes. Her love of life and all of…..
Another school shooting…children running from buildings with their hands up like common criminals…assault weapons and automatic pistols used by their own friends and neighbors…bullying one another as though it’s a joke. This is what America’s education system has become. Our children are going to school in fear because they are continually bombarded by the violence of society. Our children are defending themselves, rather than unchanged adult laws. How many children, fearing for their lives, will it take before our nation…..
I can’t believe it’s been fifty years since our high school graduation, fifty years since I said, “Good-bye,” to Tom, Mike, and Larry, as they headed off to boot camp, fifty years since I got the news of their deaths in that small country called Vietnam. I was so naive to think they wouldn’t be scarred by that terrible war or that they would breathe their last, painful breaths in one of America’s most divisive wars ever fought. As the…..
In John 21: 1-19, Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” A second time, Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Tend my sheep.” A third time, Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love me?” Hurt, Peter replied, “Lord you know everything; you know that I love you.” …..
“Why do you look up at the skies? We have seen the Lord and He is risen!,” said some of the disciples. Thomas said, “I do not believe He is alive. I will not believe until I see the holes in His hands and His side and can place my finger in those holes.” Then Christ appeared before them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Thomas saw Christ and placed his finger in the holes of His master’s hands and…..