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The Bible Says

Learn what the Bible Says about the past, present and future. Discover how to apply Scripture to life's pressing questions and needs.

Heaven's Radio Waves - When I was a boy I loved to play with my neighbor friends. Sometimes, after school, we would get so preoccupied with a game of basketball or baseball that I would not hear my mother calling me for supper. When I finally showed up, it was...

Flashing Lights - Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to learn a lesson or two about what it means to share the good news of Jesus with others, through a simple drive down Springs Oaks Road in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

The Bride is Coming! - You could hear a pin drop. All heads were turned toward the back of the church. At the end of the long, long aisle stood 4-year-old Tommy, dressed in a tuxedo, bell in hand.

Choosing Contentment - As I peruse the pages of the newest Pottery Barn catalogue, I dog-ear the corners to mark items that catch my eye.

Celestial Insomnia - Chronic insomnia? Are you one of the millions of people who won’t sleep tonight?

Organized Church - Studies are showing that more and more Christians are falling away from being members of organized churches. The reason? Primarily, they feel that Christianity is no place for giving and receiving positions of rank and that following Christ...

Signs of the Times - Night flights aren't much fun. About all you can see is darkness for much of the trip. A lot of the passengers are sleeping, or at least resting, so you cannot visit.

Written in Our Hearts - Psalm 40:8 tells us, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”

Horticulture Lessons - Recently, I was showing Monica, a friend of mine, how to deadhead flowers. As we stood on the patio off my city apartment, she found it interesting to discover that by pinching off the spent blooms of my hanging baskets, that the plant...

Any Leftovers? - So Jesus flunks a catering test. Actually this isn’t a bad score; after feeding something like ten thousand people on that Judean hillside, a few leftover baskets of food isn’t a substantial overage.

Glaring Notices - When I was a teen our family lived on a shoestring budget. One day after school I noticed a glaring, bright orange notice with black letters hanging on the door handle of our front door. It was from the electric company.

Jonah's Surprise - When Carolyn Kelly heard a car splash into a pond at the Glen Retirement Village in Shreveport, LA, she didn’t stop to think.

Faith Like a Child - I will never forget his face. Looking up at me he appeared close to tears. I felt terrible for putting him through this but I had to finish the process even though it was breaking my heart.

Taking Out the Trash - Today while I was riding my bike through our neighborhood, I was greeted with the variety of smells from all the trash containers. I even saw one woman adding something to her curb while she was in her nightgown. You can...

I Still Love You - Up until a few months ago I had a nice job with great benefits like health insurance, bonuses, personal and sick days and almost two months of vacation each year. I wasn’t going to get rich but at least I was making enough...

The Other Side - Our dog, Chaucer, insisted on digging holes under our fence so he could visit the neighbor’s yard. It was exciting for him to be in a new and different place. When we discovered that he was doing this, we’d go get him...

Worth the Pain - It was dark. The garden was quiet and although he’d brought his best friends with him – he was virtually alone.

Kindness Pays Off - Julio Diaz disembarked a New York City subway train after a routine journey deposited him at his station. The 31-year-old social worker stepped off the platform anticipating grabbing a bite to eat at one of his favorite diners.

Life of Integrity - What do people think when they hear your name? Do they think, “Oh that person is always so trustworthy and faithful; they always do the right thing.” Or do they think, “Watch out for that person. You never know what they’re...

Bread from Heaven - The Israelis were in a tight spot. They had just made their escape from Egypt, where they had been held as slaves for many years. Numbering perhaps two million men, women and children, they now found themselves in the Sinai...

Frogs and Gifts! - Last evening it happened! The frogs by our pond began singing. And they were in excellent voice, I must say! The tenors were whirring the top line, the bull frogs were beating out the bass, and the rest were carrying a steady...

Yet I Will Rejoice - In the three short chapters of the unlikely book of Habakkuk we find a fascinating dialogue between the prophet and God. Habakkuk is explaining to God that things are not going well in his life. Nothing is as it’s supposed to be.

Closet Christian? - My teen-age son had been bugging me for a motor bike. After putting him off for a while, one day I thought, Why not? He seems responsible enough. So we started shopping. Then we saw the ad for a bike in our local newspaper, and...

Powered by God - The 21st century cannot escape the need for clean, renewable energy. All forms of modern technology requires some kind of power to make it work.

Knowing the Judge - Pastor Kelly tells of an experience he had in jail. It happened as a result of one unpaid traffic ticket. Just how it had remained unpaid, he didn’t say. No doubt, he intended to pay it, but one thing after another in his busy life continued to...

The Potter's Wheel - Rick and his wife were artists who lived in an old farm house near my home growing up. I loved to visit them. They were potters who made their living with their hands, their hearts, and their artistry.

God's Plan For You - Sitting in a quiet corner of the library, I took one more look at my biology notes. It seemed hours had passed since I had started studying, yet the clock told me otherwise. There was a sinking feeling as I realized how much I had to go...

Love Letters - Somewhere deep in the corner of our basement is a cardboard box. Inside this box are several shoe boxes full of love letters that my wife and I wrote each other while dating in college. I told my children they were personal and not to read...

To Use, Not to Have - “Being conservative is a sin,” stated the young guest preacher at our church. “It will kill us.” I glanced around warily at my fellow parishioners. Didn’t this sleek California boy know his audience? We are...

Not Mine, His - I close the laptop and rub my forehead in frustration. I feel like my life works around a pattern. A very unpleasant pattern that consists of me making plans, getting way too excited about them, and leaving God completely out of the equation.

Rescued from Trouble - When I was eight and my sister was six, we lived in a trailer. It was summer, school was out, and we were playing with the kids in the neighborhood. Dad and Mom were working in a plant across the street.

Be the Bigger Person - No matter how hard you try, there are going to be people in your everyday life that you don't get along with. My friend and I had a reasonably good friendship. We weren’t the best of friends, but we were there for each other when needed.

I See You! - In the realm of Christianity, it is a common understanding and teaching that our omnipresent God sees everything that we do. Some think of this as God keeping an eye on us to make sure we stay in line or maybe to even catch us if we...

Because We're Broken - I’m not sure why it sticks in my mind, but it does. I must have been around 6 years old at the time. As clear as a video before me I can see myself riding my bike on the sidewalk in front of our house. As I rode I passed a neighbor lady...

Clogged Pipes - I recently did some work on our downstairs shower. I installed a new shower faucet handle but I accidentally reversed the hot and cold. When I finally switched the pipes around I discovered the faucet handle had quit...

The Perfect Storm - The day had been clear, and the sea calm. Jesus had spent a busy day by the Sea of Galilee, teaching the crowds of people. He had spoken many of His parables explaining the kingdom of God. Jesus had worked many miracles...

Celebrating Sabbath - As I read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, I discover that God's Sabbath has been and always will be celebrated. As a gift to man, the Sabbath was given at Creation. It was observed through Old and New Testament times, and is...

Holy Anger - I was sure the entire hallway could hear our angry screams. I was also sure they’d heard my voice before; I wasn’t exactly the quietest of girls, and Sally and I always found some way to argue.

White As Snow - I am a sinner by nature, brought into a world full of hatred and sorrow and right then I felt more guilty than at anyt time in my life. Facing my parents, and having to tell them what I’d done was the hardest moment I’ve ever gone through.

Midnight Visitor - Like many Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), I think the pop music I enjoyed in my youth is classic. I recently browsed the web and listened to a song I really liked 30 years ago. It’s about a woman who died and her...

Peace, Guaranteed - This world has a tendency to bring us a lot of devastation. Each and every person is affected by some sort of disappointment or loss.

A Very Old Book - The Bible is a very old book. Some parts of it as old as 3,500 years. The most recent parts are 2,000 years old. Books that old are usually out-of-date. How could you get any help from a book that old? How could you trust such...

Afraid to Witness? - Many Christians are terrified by the thought of it. I’m not sure why, but it’s true, even though we wish it wasn’t. It could be from fear of saying the wrong thing. Or maybe we fear embarrassing ourselves, or possibly being rejected.

Panic Button - We acquired a new security feature for our office secretary at the place I worked a few years ago. It was a panic button. The little round plastic button on a keychain, when pressed, would alert the police to make a visit to our...

Never-Locked Door - Every one of us knows what it’s like to suffer. We all feel pain, sadness, loss and depression, and everyone understands what it means to grieve, mourn and feel hopeless. It’s a cruel fact of this world that we will all be touched...

Lay Them Down - In the song "I Will Glory in Your Cross", I am struck by the following lines."All my glory and all my shame, I lay them down to find them much the same, and all my shadows and all my shine are hidden behind, this precious cross of Thine, and I will glory in Your cross."

Safe and Sound - Alberto Rozas and his daughter slept peacefully in their 13th floor Concepción, Chile apartment. Suddenly the world began to shake. He grabbed his seven-year-old daughter in his arms and they stood underneath the doorframe of the...

Just Little Things - The time was just after 3 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 1979. The big DC-10 taxied to the end of the runway at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. On board were 271 passengers and crew. The weather was perfect. All on board were looking forward...

A Thousand Acts - The phrase “death by a thousand cuts”, long used as metaphorical currency in the western world, actually refers to an ancient Chinese execution method called Ling Chi. And while we currently see this phrase employed as a catchy book...

He's Alive! - Mary and Martha were worried. Their brother Lazarus was sick. When the doctors couldn’t help him, they sent word to the One who they believed could help. “Lord, the one you love is sick” is the message Jesus received. The sisters...

Outstretched Arms - One could write a book about the heartache in Haiti since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the country. We’ve watched as the world came together to give aid to those left injured and homeless.

Going to Jail - I’ve been in jail many times. In high school I was part of a singing group that went to jail to sing to the inmates. I’ve gone to visit a relative in jail. We sat across from each other talking on a phone, separated by glass. More recently...

Too Much - In our constant search for spiritual “deepness,” my friend and I have taken Bible classes, attended Bible studies, poured over verses and verses, had numerous heart-to-heart talks where we share whatever “deep” thought has...

Hope Deferred - They appeared as two normal men walking down a shady pathway late that Sunday afternoon. But something was desperately wrong. Any observer could tell they were in deep conversation as they walked along with their heads...

Angels All Around - I had just finished reading my four-year-old son, the story of Daniel. At the end of the story, it talked about how God had sent angels to protect Daniel from the lions, and that He also sends His angels to watch over us.

Standing Up For Jesus - I walked into my four-year-old son’s room one evening. He had already been tucked into his bed. I was simply checking on him. When I looked in his room, he was standing up in his bed very straight, tall and very still. I asked...

Prayer Changes Things - For my birthday, a friend gave me a refrigerator magnet that says Prayer Changes Things. The gift is special because this friend and I are serious prayer partners. We pray for each other’s children every day and for other...

Keep On Keeping On - Someone has said, “If you could have religion and not know it, you could lose it and never miss it.” Well, there’s no question that when a person is truly converted, or “born again,” as the Bible puts it in John 3:7 (NLT), a real change takes place in that person’s life.

Not Home Yet - We were hopelessly lost. Surprisingly, this time at least, it wasn’t because I was with two of the worst drivers that have ever stepped behind a wheel. We had taken one wrong turn, just one, and now had no idea where we were...

Hope for Haiti - I can’t stop thinking about Haiti. The horror of thousands of rotting bodies, people trapped for days in rubble, the agony of people not knowing if their loved ones were dead or alive. Those heart-breaking images of parents clutching...

A Cold Branch - I stared at the fire in discontent, wondering why the tree branch wouldn’t stay lit. We had been sitting by the fire for the better part of an hour and by that time the situation had become symbolic. No matter how long I left the branch in...

Know Not What They Do - Recently, I spent a couple of days substitute teaching for a teacher whose classes have historically been easy to handle. This time, however, it was different. Not that I don’t expect some bad days. That’s part of my job. But there...

Who Are You? - There comes a time in our lives when we need to define who we are—when we need to figure out what defines us. But, wait. Who is doing the defining? The Bible tells us in Job 9 that God can move mountains...

The Storm - “Never seen this before,” the rancher said, removing his old hat and scratching his head. We were standing next to the barn looking out towards the East. “Better saddle up and see if you can find 'em,” he continued, “it's getting...

Truthful Witness - It’s the American way. You drive to your bank to either cash a check, deposit money or request to withdraw an amount from your checking or savings account. It was this sort of routine at a bank for a man we’ll call Ralph.

Bitter or Thankful? - The pictures and video footage coming out of Haiti wrench my heart. I feel helpless to ease the emotional and physical suffering that hundreds of thousands are facing.

Forgetting the Girl - I keep forgetting her. My brand new baby girl. There's been nothing traumatic yet, but I just keep forgetting that she exists. I'll be driving along and suddenly remember that she is behind me in her car seat.

Walled-In Hearts - Years ago a man purchased a remote castle in Spain. Vandals were destroying the old building, so the man hired a builder to put a protective wall around the castle. Weeks later the man checked on the builder’s progress and...

Amazing Grace - It all happened many years ago in the small town of Granger, Washington. And I’ll never forget it. There was a weekly event that took place during the summer months. A group of boys, myself included, would round up a wild...

Look Up, Lifted Up - Ally is eighteen months old and is loving life. Surrounded by people who are always ready to read her a new book or share a new experience with her, she is almost constantly embracing fresh experiences.

Contentment Search - I once read a story about a music therapist named Ken Medema. As a pianist, Ken’s concerts draw large crowds and standing ovations.

Seeing the Truth - I could not see very well. My optometrist had dilated my eyes to get a better view of the inside of my eyeballs. It’s a pretty common procedure. But with my pupils forced to expand, it’s a bit difficult to see clearly, even with the cheap...

Passed Over - My dad was dying. He’d been sick with Hepatitis C for years and we all knew it was only a matter of time. I’d been staying in his hospital room night and day for the past few days.

Saving Socks - Socks was about the sweetest dog anyone could ever want. She was a family dog, part border collie and part just plain precious. We rescued Socks accidentally from death row.

Thin Air - I’ve been fascinated lately with books on people who climbed Mount Everest, the highest mountain on our planet (29,035 ft.). Ever since 1852 when the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India discovered Sagarmatha.

Winter Observations - I took a walk in the snowy woods this evening at dusk. I observed the tracks that deer, rabbits, opossum, and dogs had made. I even noted the small impression left by a hopping bird.

Love Each Other - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34). “Love each other!" I scream to my friends who are jokingly arguing about whose dorm room is cleaner, throwing

Magic Eraser - When it comes to cool cleaning products, there’s one under our kitchen sink that is head and shoulders above the rest.

No Room - It was our church’s annual Christmas celebration service and the sanctuary was festive with colorful poinsettias and sparkling white lights. Our daughter’s clear soprano voice joined the others in the choir.

My Signet Ring - As I was working on a Real Estate transaction, one of the documents we needed was a “survey”. I’m pretty sure you have heard about this piece of paper which represents some kind of a territorial map of the property’s boundaries...

Technology Fast - Technology fast. The moment those words left the professor’s mouth we knew we were in trouble. Did she really expect us to not use any technology for 24 hours? In this day and age? No cell phone, iPod, or computer.

Free From Guilt - "There’s no way God can ever forgive me. I am unforgivable." Have you ever harbored these thoughts?

Spear Fishing - I was swimming peacefully around my pond when my fish world was interrupted by a loud bang and tumultuous waves. Right next to me, too close...

The Power of His Word - As I talked with a group of friends, the topic of the economy and financial difficulties was brought up. In a matter of minutes we were all complaining, blaming the hard times on numerous things. The conversation turned sour and...

Creating Sacred Space - Vincent Van Gogh, the famous Dutch artist, composed a drawing titled, “Girl Kneeling in Front of a Cradle.” It pictures a young girl, hair disheveled, clothed in an ankle-length dress, kneeling in front of a cradle.

Barefoot and Stubborn - If there’s something I’ve had to learn the hard way, it’s to never walk barefoot on a wooden boardwalk. As my feet skidded along carelessly after about the second mile of our venture to get pizza for our hungry family, I felt a sudden...

We Are Covered - Winter was always a special time for me in the hills of the Northeast, but nothing compared to the anticipation and drama in the promise of a full-fledged snow storm.

Greener Grass - We want that which seems unattainable. We can't help it. We're born with this insatiable desire to get what we seemingly cannot have.

More than 10% - Often when I contemplate what my duty is to my fellow man, I couch it in the crass and frequently cold terms of political efficacies. But lately, thinking of the world around me in those terms seems insufficient at best, and harmful at worst.

Put the Gavel Down - As the little red truck rolled slowly down our drive, I turned away and sighed. Had I just lost a few hundred dollars? I wondered. I had placed an ad for a loveseat I hoped to sell. An older couple arrived to look at it in...

Pleasing God - We can do many things in this world if we set our mind to it. We can choose to get married, buy a house, have children and raise a family. We can, if talented enough, make a million dollars, design a rocket, change someone’s...

My First Bible - They don’t make Bibles like my first one anymore. It was given to me on my tenth birthday, the year my family became Christians. The cover is white with a golden zipper. Hanging from the zipper is a cross, something I used to...

Disclaimers - Some Bible verses should come with warning labels. It might be nice to know beforehand what we’re really getting ourselves into when we ask God for guidance and He leads us to a familiar verse. A little disclaimer can go a long...

Redefined Stewardship - Not many argue that we are living in times of economic hardship, difficulty and uncertainty. But the bright side is that this provides a strategic opportunity to evaluate our attitudes and paradigms that typically drive our financial priorities...

Unexpected Answers - When people in the Bible asked Jesus questions he often gave answers they did not expect. They were usually looking at only two options—asking “Is it this way or that way?” And Jesus responded, “Neither.”

Are You "There" Yet? - "When I came to the spring today, I said, 'O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come' " (Genesis 24:42). Last month, I was driving from Orlando to Sarasota’s beaches...

New Opportunities - How easy is it to fall into a hole? As easy as it sounds. Run fast enough, get distracted for even a second, and the next thing you know you're underground, looking at darkness and dirt.

Mind, Heart, Spirit - Recently, I ran across some wisdom that someone had asked of God. While I can’t remember who actually asked these things, I do remember what it was. It was a request that God grant three things: a quick mind, a large heart...

Time Flies - As I draw near to the eve of my seventy-ninth birthday, I’ve done some thinking and some calculating and came up with the following: One day = 24 hours; 1,440 minutes; 86,400 seconds...

Praise Him! - Just recently, I witnessed a woman who was all up in arms. She did something for her co-workers and no one said thank you. She was absolutely beside herself. “So typical!” she said, “you do something for someone and no one tells you...

Four-Letter Word - It’s been almost a year since that Tuesday in November. It happened at 11:05 p.m. My friends and I had been following the polling results and adding up the electoral votes since 7 p.m. There was a sense of excitement and...

True or False? - “O, what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!”-Sir Walter Scott. These brief lines aptly summarize the current situations of several individuals making national headlines in America these days.

Words that Heal - Have you said something recently that you wish you hadn’t? I know I have. The Bible says that our words reveal what’s going on inside of us. "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance...

Hunger for God - It’s easy to get swept away in our day-to-day lives, filled with our day-to-day activities. We wake up, we eat breakfast, we drive to work or school, we spend eight hours at work or school, we come home, eat and go to...

How To Bless Others - The world is becoming more polarized by the day - within religions, between religions, within communities, between communities, within political groups, between political groups, and the list is almost endless.Just read today's...

Selective Amnesia - It began as an ordinary work day for Scott Bolzan, as it did for thousands of other Arizonans, that mid December day in 2008. After successfully maneuvering the morning commute, the 46-year-old CEO and founder of a Tempe...

Dreaming of Heaven - When I was a young girl and a new Christian, I loved reading about heaven. It sounded like such a beautiful and utterly amazing place! One of my favorite descriptions was the one in Revelation 21:18-21: “The wall was made of...

Life is Fair - Life is not fair. I'm sure you have heard this before. In fact, more than 80% of the people who are going to read this message have said it or used it before. I was listening to a Christian talk show not too long ago where people were...

Winning the War - A few weeks ago my husband and I attended the memorial service of a family friend who died from cancer. She was an unassuming young woman, yet the building where her service was held was packed to the bursting point...

Sinister Silence - Silence holds us in its grip. Collectively as families and individually within families or communities. Silence beats on our inner ears cajoling, tempting, threatening, lying. “You mustn’t say… Indeed, you cannot say… No one...

A Call from the Past - It was a Tuesday in April, around 9 p.m., when I received a phone call from an unknown number. I was driving back home after playing basketball at the church’s facilities. Not knowing who it was I decided not to answer the...

Always on Time - It was August 28, 2008. The day had finally come. I’d prepared for this moment and patiently waited for more than six months. I was extremely happy, anxious and nervous all at the same time. I was going to Chile on a...

The Red Button - On September 1, 1983, Russian jet interceptors shot down a Korean airliner that had drifted into Soviet airspace due to a navigational error. The plane carried 269 civilians, some of which were American citizens. All passengers...

All We Need - I wonder if we will ever realize that we truly have all we need. There's a song by worship leader Charlie Hall called "All We Need". I think the words that speak to me and are the most truthful are found in the chorus:

No Other Gods - Michael Jackson. His name brings many different thoughts and emotions to the minds of those who hear it. As I have seen and heard the coverage of his recent death it has made me think again of the slippery slope on which so...

Sweet Boys - It had gotten a little too quiet. And mothers know that sound. The silence that signifies someone is probably in trouble. I walked in to find my one-year-old and three-year-old sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor with...

Someone Chose Me - I was a small, scrawny, non-athletic kid but I wanted to belong, so I did the only thing I knew to do. I stood on the playground and endured “choosing teams”. Invariably the “top” guys got chosen first; top meaning the ones who...

The Middle Man - Last year I had the awesome opportunity to go on a mission trip to Santiago, Chile. It was a group of five women and five men. Among these 10 people, only eight of us were going to work on the project and from these eight...

Whoever - You may have read John 3:16 dozens of times and even have it memorized. But I’d like you to read it again and pick out your favorite word. The one word that is most meaningful to you: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one...

The Invite - I didn’t ask her. She asked me. I’m sad to admit that I hadn’t even considered inviting her to our Bible study. It hadn’t crossed my mind that this friend of mine might be interested in learning about the Lord.

Addressee Unknown - One triple digit Arizona day near the end of June, I cashed in an expiring coupon for a free car wash. Following the interior vacuum and conveyor belt suds, spray and pom-pom wash, my vehicle was driven to the...

Freddy's House - Its been quite a number of years and it still hurts to remember that house. It saddens me to talk about the tense climate that reigned there. I was very young, but I remember Freddy's parents.

The Perfect Day - In my Bible reading this morning, I came across the verse that says, “The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). Several things got my attention as I read the...

Burning Hearts - Though the followers of Christ did not recognize the Stranger beside them on the road to Emmaus, they recognized truth when they heard it. When they realized their companion had been Jesus, they exclaimed, “Did...

Organically Grown - I often find myself at my local Fresh Market store. I enjoy buying produce there because the products are of exceptional quality. Most, if not all, are organic and I find myself enjoying their heightened taste and flavor.

Seat of His Pants - To locate and ascend to the Vultee Arch near Sedona, Ariz., is no mean feat. Of the two ways in, one will beat up your body; the other will thrash your car. Meandering seven miles north from town on Highway 89-A through...

Cleaning Out the Well - Some of my mother’s relatives lived on a farm. I remember one time when we made a trip to visit them for a few days. As a small boy, this was a new experience for me. They had boys and girls my age and older.

The Sinkhole - On May 8, 1981, Mae Rose Owens began to notice the ground eroding around her three bedroom house in Winter Park, Florida. Within days, the earth had swallowed her home, the surrounding trees, half an Olympic size...

My Dad is Stronger - After an intensive workout I decided to stop by my brother’s house to pick up a CD. His identical twins named Alvin and Irving, who were six or seven years old came to the door to greet me. They both noticed I was all...

Impossible to Repay - I once heard a story from a woman whose husband of over twenty years was given the devastating diagnosis of cancer and was quickly scheduled for treatments. In the days that followed, she was sure to take the two busses to...

Turn the Other Cheek - Vengeance is one of the most primal human desires. It is also one that Christians are charged to avoid. Christ adamantly opposed retribution. In Luke 6:28-30 He advises us to “...bless those who curse you, pray for those...

In His Likeness - Have you ever stopped to think that when God created the world, he only spoke it and it was done? Because before anything existed, He, who is the Word, existed. John writes that “in the beginning was the Word...

Okra and Mangoes - I’ve become a bit of a hippie, thanks in part to some great books about the advantages of eating local, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Simply put – produce grown locally is generally allowed to ripen for a longer time (increasing...

Bible's Road Map - Recently, Mark and I traveled from Iowa to Alabama to attend our son's wedding. We were excited about the trip since we would be traveling through seven states to get from our home to our daughter-in-law's home.

God's Compassion - The Jewish scriptures use a powerful metaphor for God—one that is too often overlooked in today's realms of male-dominated, patriarchal religious life. Notice the wording—God is speaking here...

"There's Just No Way" - It only comes around once every four years. The Olympics, a much looked forward to event, can be controversial, exciting, even inspiring. I did not realize that in flipping the channel on my way to the news that night in...

Cricket Time - Bustling around the kitchen one day, yellow rubber gloves on board, I deftly wiped off the counter in on fell swoop. Grasping the large glass of fresh pressed carrot juice in one hand, I quickly sponged off the electric juice...

Give to Those in Need - I have a soft spot in my heart for the homeless. I see them and wonder about their lives. Did they lose a job? Did they get kicked out of their home? Did they lose all their assests forcing them to be on the streets?

Your City - People walk in all directions: men, women, young people, the elderly, children...they all walk with a purpose...(or do they?)There are different colors… white, brown, blonde, redheads, brunettes. There are people from...

True Humility - What does true humility mean? Our church recently celebrated Communion, and this time God particularly impressed me with the significance of the Ordinance of Humility, or foot washing. If you don’t know the story...

Light - "Don’t shine the light in my eyes; shine it on the engine!" exclaimed my husband. "Now I can’t see anything." I was holding the flashlight so he could work on the car but I turned for a moment to look at something else and...

Led by a Little Child - We've all probably heard the Bible phrase, "A little child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6). It has been rolling around in my mind a lot lately. I'm the leader of a new children's ministry in our church called The Sonshine Club.

Somewhere Underneath - Somewhere underneath the soil in our backyard are spring bulbs. Soft yellow daffodils and bright red tulips that will bloom and bring spring beauty. I know they are there because I planted them myself. And I was very careful.

Celestial Eraser - Two months ago I moved into a brand new home. What a pleasure to migrate into something clean, fresh and unblemished.

The Expected Harvest - What goes around comes around. Every farmer knows that if you plant corn, you're going to harvest corn. The same principle applies to our personal lives.

We Forgive Them - Dr. Kojo A. Carew sat at his hospital desk trying to catch up on paperwork. It was late and he wanted to get home to his wife and child, but noisy chatter from the patient ward below distracted his attention. Finally he went...

Mustard Seed Faith - Not long ago, I met a friend of mine who I had not seen in about eight months. He told me that he had lost his job and was having a difficult time providing for his family. He had been the general manager of a prestige car...

Shy About Jesus - My three-year-old son and I had just picked up the mail from our mailbox. My son asked if there was any mail for him. I looked through the mail and found a religious flyer with a cute boy about his age on it, folding his hands...

The Connection - Looking out the window, I could see hints of color and shape forming on the bushes. Winter’s dull hues were once again being replaced by spring’s vibrant shades. It was rolling out its green carpet to welcome the scattered...

He Has Overcome - The scene is an upper room. Jesus and His disciples are eating a symbolic meal in honor of the Passover. Wanting to show the full extent of His love for them, Jesus rises from the table to take on the role of a servant. He gets...

Jesus Corner - OK, so that’s a pretty intriguing title, and you may be wondering what a Jesus corner is. But I’ll bet that many of you may already know. It’s no great revelation to say that in this modern world we are all faced with moments...

Always There - While I was waiting to see the doctor yesterday, there was a commotion in the large three section waiting room. A woman was so ill that she fainted from her seat onto the floor. Her head hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Less of Me - John tells us in chapter 3, verse 30 that Jesus must increase and he (and we) must decrease. In other words, in order to increase God's cause, we must decrease our own. Do you ever have trouble decreasing? I mean, it's hard...

"Probably" No God? - Atheists are placing advertisements on buses that read “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy life.” The advertisements have run in London, several cities in Canada, and may soon be coming to the United...

Bundle Up! - Here in the Midwest, we are experiencing some very cold temperatures. The weather forecasters report the actual temperature, and also what the temperature feels like. Our local meteorologist refers to this wind chill factor as...

The Dark Night - This is a true story—a story of my life. It’s the story of a former drug addict, of someone that did not deserve to live. But the Giver of Life, remade and transformed this life for His glory. It was the darkest night I had ever...

My Companion - There were no stop lights in the town where I grew up, just stop signs. In this season of my life I live on the outskirts of one of the most populated metropolises in the United States. Because I grew up on roads without much...

The Red Ribbon - In my box of memories from childhood, there’s a red ribbon. I don’t keep it for its monetary value, or sentimental value. I keep it for the valuable lesson it taught me.

The Little Sparrow - It was almost 12:20 pm on the kitchen clock, when I realized how many lemons were on our lemon tree in the back yard. Suddenly, I saw a little sparrow fall from the sky! “Could it be possible?” I asked, in astonishment.

Defining Moments - “Defining moments put the spotlight on us. Our character isn’t made during these times, it is displayed!” These words from John C. Maxwell’s latest book Leadership Gold challenged me to consider the defining moments in my life.

The Truth of Star Wars - You may remember the movie Star Wars. This science-fiction movie by 20th Century Fox was one of the greatest ever on Broadway, and one of the top money-making films of all time. It told how Darth Vader, a bright, young...

Cracked Mirrors - Among the belongings that my husband brought into our marriage almost 36 years ago, was clothing from high school, artifacts from a mission trip to Haiti, sports equipment, beloved music records, his childhood pillow...

Forget What's Behind - Have you tried to forget what lies behind? Are you determined to forget what lies behind? Did you know that in order to be successful the Scripture invites us to forget what lies behind? In Philippians 3:13 Paul says...

What Do You Say? - As I sit here, I am reminded of a story that one of my students told me many years ago. As he walked down a busy street in Bronx, New York, he witnessed a car accident. While not serious enough to summon ambulances...

Running From God - Do you ever feel like the Christian journey is more about relearning what we already know than learning something new? Jonah had the same problem. Here are a few of my favorite “new” old lessons from Jonah.

Madly in Love - Do you know how much God wants to hang out with you? He wants to spend time with you, share with you, and grow your relationship with Him. As in earthly relationships, development of a friendship with God requires time...

The Gardener - In the rugged highlands of Switzerland, close by a mirror lake and far from any beaten path, a hiker chanced to come upon a beautiful estate. The caretaker showed him around the flower-filled gardens.

Counterfeit or Genuine - My wife and I were conducting a seminar in a large metropolitan area. While there, we became acquainted with an enthusiastic youth leader. She was raising money for her youth club’s many activities. She had her kids busy...

Can You Hear Me Now? - Anyone who watches television at all is probably familiar with the commercial for cell phones using the phrase "Can you hear me now?" The idea is that with poor cell phone reception, the person talking has to keep trying various...

God's Jewels - One day a woman I knew approached me with a somewhat unusual request. Slipping a rather large diamond ring from her finger, she handed it to me. She said she wanted to donate the ring to a charitable cause which she...

Animal Instinct? - If not for China, an Argentinean farm dog, the newborn baby would have never survived the night. The little girl’s 14-year-old birth mother delivered her in a field and left the baby there alone and without shelter on a...

Humbled by Bugs! - Brittni is not a bug lover. In fact she hates things that creep or crawl. Currently she is a student missionary in India at a boarding school for orphans. She believes God’s goodness and mercy is giving her the strength to deal...

Confusing the Devil! - Many people carry the idea that Satan is a rather dim-witted creature with horns, a pointed tail, and red suit. The primary element of his job description is to use a pitchfork to stoke the fires of hell and maybe get folks...

Beside Still Waters - In our house, my morning starts at 5:30 a.m. I have exactly 30 minutes to take my shower, get some hot tea, and take a deep breath before my children wake up. I usually sit on the second stair in the still dim house...

Faith of a Child - The year I spent as a student missionary on the tiny little horseshoe-shaped island Majuro, was the year I learned about simple faith from a seventh-grade Marshallese boy. I had been teaching a roomful of 27 fifth to eighth graders...

Life for Sale! - Ian Usher was selling his entire life, and no, he wasn’t joking either. He was dead serious. Life had gotten a little out of hand for this 34-year-old Australian man. His wife of 12 years had left him, he was working at a...

New Year Revolutions - We’ve all heard of New Year's resolutions, right? In fact, we may have heard so much about them and dealt with them so much that we’ve actually lost a desire to even make them. But let’s not even ponder the old idea of whether...

Why Believe? - When you drive around town during the Christmas season, you’ll often see signs that proclaim Jesus’ birth. Signs stating “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” or “Keep Christ in Christmas” are common. But if you live in...

A Beautiful Letdown - Life can definitely take its twists and turns. That much I know is true. I was thinking about that as I sat at a Christian concert this past weekend. The main group had taken a break for intermission and while we were waiting...

Lover of My Soul - I saw Him that afternoon and I knew…He was the Lover of my soul. No one told me; I just knew it. His lofty figure and generous smile captivated my heart. And I desired to know Him. He was called…Man.

Hairy Issues - “You cut your hair!” It was more out of surprise that I made the exclamation, than anything else. My family was gathered in our living room on a recent morning when I saw something that looked quite different about my...

My Older Brother - When I need advice, I talk to the experts. My four sons are authorities in their fields—a teacher, a minister, a realtor/contractor, and a medical doctor. I call them now and then when I need some good advice.

Storm Story - Several years ago, we had a pastor who was a former electrical engineer. One evening, we were visiting their home and my husband Mark was helping him with some work outdoors. After a while, a typical Iowa thunderstorm...

A Perfect Love - If you grew up a Christian, you probably heard over and over again just how much God loves you and how we ought to display this kind of love to those around us. Did you ever want to know where people were getting that information...

Merry Messy Christmas - Every Christmas we hear stories that suggest pieces on Earth and bad will toward men. For example, San Francisco Chronicle told of two men in San Rafael, California, who were offended by the presents they received from...

Thankfulness Book - She’s a new widow, barely making ends meet and trying to hold her family together. Life has been tough since her husband died unexpectedly. There are bills to pay, a child to put through college, a van to fix, a lawn to mow…and the...

Five More Minutes - Recently, I subbed in an English class of high school sophomores. Toward the end of the class period, I could see that they had completed their work, so I gave them the last few minutes to visit with each other.

A Motorcycle Witness - I was on my way home late one afternoon when out of the corner of my eye I saw a man ride past me on his motorcycle. My husband and I are members of the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA), so I took more than a...

Integrity - He confidently made the oath and the waiting crowd was amazed by the unexpected outcome! A Chinese man named Xu, who swore he didn’t owe money that he had borrowed from a neighbor, was hit by lightning 60 seconds later.

Facing Fear - The news on Wall Street these days is not very encouraging. I doubt financial investors are sleeping well, and neither are many average citizens. Uncertainty and confusion are common companions.

Seeing Clearly - Okay, I'm finally convinced! I need glasses. Rather, I need to wear glasses. I remember when I got my first glasses a couple of years ago. I became quickly frustrated. I didn't like wearing them. I hadn't worn...

Lesson in the Clouds - I am one of those kind of people who would rather be doing something than nothing. This attitude usually works well in our society. We live in a culture of fast food, same day delivery, one hour processing, and we want it done...

A House Built on Sand - My wife and I were exploring one of the beaches on Florida’s beautiful West Coast. We had wandered far from the place where we were staying. As we came to a densely wooded remote area, we were startled to see a beautiful...

Chasing the Dream - We have a 15-month-old dog named Sammy. Every morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is look to see if Sammy is still there. Sammy likes to dig. And when Sammy digs, he gets out of the yard and goes wandering in the...

Testing and Tithing - I have a confession to make: Tithing isn’t always easy for me. I write this article because I suspect that at least some of you may feel the same way. I understand the Bible to say that ten percent of my income belongs to God.

Candle Lighting - For the fourth summer in a row, my husband and I have packed our tent, food, sunscreen, and ear plugs, and taken our teenage daughter to a four-day Christian concert event. Beyond the stage at this outdoor amphitheater is...

Beauty of Reality - I was reading my devotional book this morning, the one I’ve been reading for the past two years. It is by Eugene Peterson, the amazing author, poet and writer who’s also the translator of The Message paraphrase of the Bible.

Babylon Is Fallen - Babylon, which means "gate of the gods," was a city that many believe was established by Nimrod, the son of Cush. In time, Babylon became a symbol of everything that was opposed to God.

God, the Sparrow and You - I once heard it said that God is the only one who shows up for a sparrow's funeral. What do you think about that? If a dog gets hit in the street, someone is going to feel bad about it. Most likely, it belonged to someone and will...

Watching Over Us - What is the first thing you say when you return home after a hurricane hits your house? How about: “It is not as bad as I feared.” Or, “Yeah, we got hit, but it could have been worse. We got off lucky.” Possibly: “God was...

Preparation - The Los Angeles area recently experienced an earthquake. Of course, a little 5.4 magnitude jolt should hardly qualify as news in Southern California. Yet, news it became. Scientists saw this tremor as a warning or even...

Prayer Doesn't Work - Prayer doesn’t work—God does! Pass it on! This closing line in Debbonnaire Kovacs’ article jumped out to grab my attention and draw me into her story where she thoughtfully examines the popular slogan...

The Real Thing - Recently, I heard the experience of a secret service agent in regard to counterfeit money. He said that in his training to recognize counterfeit money, he studied and studied and studied. But the interesting point of his...

No Headlights! - I was driving in a city a couple of hours from my home. I’d been having trouble with my car’s electrical system. I knew there was a good auto repair place in this city, so I decided to go there. The mechanic soon found the problem...

Waking Up Alone - The highlight of my family's summer is going to our church's family camp. We love this camp for many reasons, but one reason is that all the parents watch out for each other’s kids. That provides a great deal of flexibility...

"Things" - The office where I work shut down for a hurricane. Employees were told to store critical data and irreplaceable items in their desk drawers or filing cabinets. I regularly back-up my work. For me, it was...

Are You Lost? - My sister and I were excited. As small town kids, we were headed for the big city with Dad and Mom on a shopping trip. We enjoyed the sights and sounds. The day passed all too quickly. Our parents had to make a stop, and told...

Harvest - Late summer in Iowa means it's blackberry-picking time! Several years ago, my husband's brother uncovered an Eden of blackberries on his property while he was clearing away brush. Acres of them. He mowed some pathways...

The Big One - Here in Iowa, we've just about decided that clear skies are a thing of the past. After a long winter of snow and record ice damage, we are experiencing a spring of constant rain. Gray skies are the norm, and sunshine...

Poison in the Bottle - It was a warm summer afternoon. Just waking a nap, Nora decided to freshen up by taking a cold shower. It was just around the time the baby was due for her bottle. Nora asked her younger sister who was visiting her, to...

Dancing Trees - While taking a leisurely evening walk with my two-year old son, I noticed him looking at all of his surroundings so intently; the flowers, the water, the bugs, and the people. But it was the wind that really intrigued him.

The Measuring Stick - Some hold that you should feel free to pray for anything. If you pray hard and long enough, God will grant your petition. Yet Christ stated, “. . .when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will...

The Medal Race - The Olympics make me cry. I cry during the opening ceremonies. I cry during the team events, during the individual events and during the medal ceremonies, whether my country is represented or not. My eyes are red and throat...

My Home, Sweet Home - More than 30 years ago, she welcomed me to New York; a monument that moves anyone to tears just by catching a glimpse of her in the distance; the Statue of Liberty. That stone lady looked striking on that hot and humid...

Church Saves Life - News Commentator Paul Harvey told the story of a 73-year-old man who was driving his farm tractor when it turned over on him. He was pinned underneath his tractor for four days and nights in a driving rain and severe storm. When...

What Do You Expect? - Do you expect God to do something big today? I'm not asking if you believe that God will do something big today. I'm asking if you expect it. That's the question that Pastor David Asscherick asked a group of youth at...

If Love Could Heal - The doctors said there wasn’t any medicine they could prescribe that would heal him. The surgeons said they couldn’t operate and heal him. Hours of internet research…specialists…calls to a renowned surgeon…the answers...

Graceful Floating - I've never been very good at floating. On my back in a swimming pool, I can keep my face out of the water only by paddling constantly with my hands or feet. If I stop moving for just a second, I start to sink! This tends to...

Misunderstood - Driving down the highway, on the Olympic Peninsula, I got to thinking about how difficult this spring has been to enjoy. Every day has seemed gloomier than the one before, and with two restless toddlers, there have been many...

Bad News Birth Pains - Any Christian who pays even the slightest attention to current events should certainly appreciate the words of Psalm 112:7: “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

Who's in Charge? - A world leader was having trouble getting to sleep. He got out of bed, and was nervously pacing the floor. His aide had seen his light on, and knocked on the door, asking if he might be of help.The statesman responded, “It’s the...

Daddy, Don't Leave Me - It was a cold and rainy winter morning in Santiago, Chile. Our entire family was up very early that morning. We were heading to the airport where Dad would embark on a 14-hour flight to New York. Dad had secretly planned...

Cure for Resentment - Recently, I heard someone say that the cure for resentment is to pray two weeks for the person for whom you're holding the resentment. Having some “issues” along those lines at the time, I made special note of those words...

Great and Terrible Day - I love fireworks. I love the beautiful colors and patterns, the anticipation of waiting for each one, the excitement as each one unfolds across the sky, the grand finale with it rapid succession of brilliantly colored...

Typhoon Box - It’s time to prepare our typhoon box again. This is the large plastic bin that holds enough food, water and necessities for a week or more if a bad one were to hit us. Last summer, our first in a typhoon zone, it all seemed...

Chicanery of Chic - I received an invitation to a birthday party for two wonderful twenty-something friends. The email arrived with all the basic information about the party: the date, the time, the address, etc. What caught my attention was one...

The End of the Road - My family and I were returning to our home state after living elsewhere for a few years. During our absence, a new interstate highway system had been constructed. Even though we were tired after traveling all day, we were...

One More Thing - As a busy wife and mother, I typically focus on ways to clear my schedule and carve out extra time. I rarely seek to add to my hectic days. Yet, who would have guessed the positively life-changing impact of placing one more item on...

Spiritual Attitude - I Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray without ceasing.” That used to bother me just a little. I mean, how can I pray without ceasing when I have to work, go to school, take care of kids,eat, and sleep?

I Have Seen Jesus - Have you ever felt depressed? Have you ever wished your life had been different? Have you ever hoped that the situations and adversities that you have faced would not have affected you the way they did?

Burdens - Burdens. Everyone has them. Uninvited, they latch onto us and efficiently go about their business of sucking the life right out of us. And the longer they are with us, the heavier they grow.

Round Up Treatment - Recently, I sprayed an area of our back yard with Round Up in order to plow a new garden spot. Of course, we could plow the sod without killing the grass first, but it would make the work so much more difficult. I've tried that...

His Masterpiece - There‘s nothing in us that would make God love us. He loves us because He simply has no choice. He created us. He created us in His own image and likeness! He knows everything about us.

A Young Voice - It happened while driving down the 405 freeway in Southern California. A voice from behind me. A voice from a car seat. “Momma, listen to Jesus.” Hmmmm. The first thought that tumbled into my mind and nearly out of my mouth was...

Biblical Sayings? - A friend and I were discussing a mutual acquaintance who was rescuing another friend. The friend with whom I was speaking felt that the rescued person was in the jam she was in due to her own lack of effort. My friend felt...

A Drink of Reality - If you have ever been wronged by someone at church or known anyone who has had their feelings hurt by other Christians, this story is for you. Now that I have everyone’s attention, I’ll begin.

Suffering 101 - Philippians 3:10 says “I want to know Christ…” I suppose every Christian could agree with that. The verse goes on: “and the power of his resurrection.” Yes, the resurrection will be a good thing.

Running the Race - A few weeks ago, we had a gorgeous, sunny day, made all the more spectacular by the fact that it interrupted a long, dreary stretch of gray days of this year’s sorely protracted winter. As I dodged patches of slushy snow on...

The Perfect Candidate - For those of us living in the United States, the presidential election has grabbed a lot of our attention this year. Like every election that I can remember, it has had its share of negative comments thrown back and forth...

When God Says, "No" - Just last week my adult Bible study class started reading a new book about shattered dreams. I was very aware of the implications in my own life. After 12+ years of trying to find my way in a second career path, I had finally been...

From Groaning to Glory - “We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth” (Romans 8:22). I believe that God can hear them, the groans coming from cyclone victims of the Myanmar misery. He hears the groans of a lone boy...

Boots and the Devil - We have a black cat at our house, who we love a lot. But he has one habit that I have to say reminds me of Satan. No, it’s not his black coat. The feature of this cat that resembles Satan is his enduring attempt at getting in...

The Greatest of These - As I bustled around the kitchen preparing supper for my family a little neighbor girl poked her head in our back door. “I’m thirsty,” she whined. I was not feeling kindly toward this child who often pinched my children...

“Bread of Life” - At a young age, I learned to make bread by watching Aunt Chepa on those cold Chilean winters. We would arrive at her home and the sweet aroma of the milk-diluted yeast would guide us to her roomy kitchen. She would say that...

Holy Ground - Whatever happened to holiness? That may sound like a strange question to you. But, then, maybe it doesn’t sound strange at all. Maybe you, like me, have wondered that very thing.

Out of Our Element - When the neighbors are away, their German shepherd stays in their basement, accessing the outdoors through her own special door. Each evening we come to play with her, feed her, and shut her in for the night. Each morning, we...

Heaven 101 - In my work as a hospice Chaplain, I have often stood by the bedside of those who have recently died. Surrounded by family and loved ones, I have listened with interest and sometimes astonishment as family members envision...

Holy Spirit "Top 10" - If you knew someone had a gift (a good gift) they desperately wanted to give you, wouldn’t you nearly burst with anticipation? Absolutely. The fact is that God holds an amazing gift bearing your name.

About Half Dead - A few days ago, I decided to do some shopping early in the morning before going to work. I like it then because it’s quieter and people, including myself, aren’t yet tired and worn down by the day’s activities. Well, except for the...

Of More Value - “What is that on the fence?” my son asked as we were driving by a local cemetery. “I’m not sure, but it looks like it might be a deer,” he added. My first thought was that maybe someone had shot a deer and hung it there...

Rough Rock - When I was eight years old, my mom got me a “Rock Tumbler.” The machine came with a bag full of ugly, rough, sharp rocks, and a bag full of sand. The idea was to dump the rocks and sand and some water into the machine...

Day by Day - “The temperature is up to zero today,” Mark reported as he got ready for work. “Yesterday it was minus one.” How’s that for a positive attitude in the midst of one of the longest, coldest, and wettest winters we’ve had in...

The Language of Grief - It was one of the few times in my life that I’ve felt like I was part of a minority. I was attending the funeral of a Hispanic boy in which the sermon, prayer, and music were presented in Spanish. I carefully watched the faces of...

Just Pray - The other day something completely crazy happened to my family. We were driving home and my husband and I were frustrated because both of our kids were screaming in the back seat, leaving our nerves on edge.

God on a Leash - On many Saturday afternoons we take our dog for a special adventure. We enjoy some fresh air and sunshine by driving to a people park, dog park, or lake with a path. During this past trip we drove to a park, and walked the scrub...

Be a Thermostat - Recently, I heard a speaker say that there are two types of people: thermometers and thermostats. Thermometers reflect the temperature of their surroundings, and thermostats set the temperature of their surroundings.

Life or Death Matters - When I think about Easter and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus I also think of the fact that there would have been no resurrection if there hadn’t first been death. Death is totally Satan’s thing. Don’t ever be tempted...

Old Oak and Ice Storm - Recently, we had a rather devastating ice storm here in Iowa. For two days and two nights, my husband and I were without power in our house. As anyone knows, whenever you lose your power, it is more of an inconvenience than a...

Pray for Small Things - An announcement in church brought everyone quickly to their knees. Ten-year-old Madison has been diagnosed with cancer in her lymph nodes. This was practically a death sentence. As one, church members’ prayers...

God's To-Do List - As I drove away, I wondered what I would find when I returned. Before leaving the house, I had mentioned a few chores I needed my children to complete while I was gone. Past experience had shown that sometimes I would find...

Faith and Feedings - I love 20/20 hindsight. It enables me to quickly jump to conclusions regarding the mistakes of various Bible characters. From my vantage point, I clearly see the error of their ways and the choices they should have made.

One Kind Act - When it comes to helping others, I can't say that I shine. I love doing things for others such as baking fun goodies or buying simple gifts to say “Thanks for your friendship,” or “I am thinking of you.” I usually only...

Prayer-Mail - God never gets tired of hearing our requests, is never distracted or impatient with our failings, can always handle our emotions. Every moment God is lovingly watching over us, ready and able to relieve our burdens.

Whiter Than Snow - I’m sitting by our large living room window, looking outside at a winter wonderland. Our backyard is covered in a blanket of white. The fir trees are flocked even though Christmas is over, and the birds have gathered at the...

What's Your Issue? - For a dozen years the woman had struggled with her issue. She’d gone to friends for their suggestions, searched out healers in her region and spent all of her money on doctors. We don’t know a lot about her, but can...

Silencing the Angels - Angels. What a fascinating creation they are! They live in heaven, but work among us. They see all of our faults, but they still come to our aid. At the word of their Commander, they are here at our side to stop a car, aid...

Peace in My Heart - “I have the peace that passeth understanding down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart; I have the peace that passeth understanding down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.” How many times have I sung this...

Centering Prayer - During the height of Communism in the Soviet Union, party leaders kept a "red corner" in which they placed a portrait of Lenin where Christians used to keep their icons. Caught up in this fervor, the Soviet newspaper...

Join the Revolution - I've always thought it would be cool to start my own revolution. I've had this craving since graduation weekend my senior year in high school when, for class night, I played the role of Patrick Henry.

Have a Heart Like God - I have always thought “I am who I am, and that doesn't change.” While I believed I could change certain things about me such as how I dress, or what I eat etc., I didn't think I could change my tendencies. But a book have...

God Made Butterflies - On Sunday, July 18, 1999, Ron Bottomly had taken his wife and daughters to the Portland airport for a trip to California. After seeing them off, he walked toward the closest exit out of the airport mall area to the parking...

Out of Tune - Recently, my son, his friend, and I did a musical medley at our church’s talent show. Granted, there were no talent scouts present, nor did anyone expect to be signing any contracts at the end of the show.

It's Not Fair! - It’s not fair! How many times, as parents, have we heard those words? “It’s not fair that I have to do more chores than my younger sister.” “His piece of pie is bigger than mine, it’s not fair.” “It’s not fair that I have to be...

Be Still - In high school I had a compulsion to constantly be with my friends. I couldn't stand to be alone. Maybe this began because I felt lonely at home due to the fact that my dad was often gone on business trips.

Gone Fishin' - I’m not much of a fisherperson. While I grew up in the country and loved sitting on the creek bank watching the community of fish going about their daily lives beneath the surface, I never really had any desire to catch any.

Fleece Drenching - Gideon was a man of doubt. Sometimes I am a man after Gideon’s own heart. He had the audacity to test the Almighty. The braggadocio to tell a messenger of God that his intentions must be proved before he would bend his...

Harbor - I was raised in rural Virginia—far from any large bodies of water. We had a man-made pond that turned into a mud puddle in the heat of summer. The only time it was good for swimming was in the late spring and then you had to...

Power Promise - It came out of nowhere, just when I was getting ready to go on my laptop to check some e-mails. The lights in our home flickered and then went completely dark at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. We had encountered a freak blizzard.

Looking to the Light - One morning a small boy living on a North Dakota farm awoke in great pain. Recognizing their son was deathly ill, his parents were greatly alarmed. They rushed him to the nearest hospital, 75 miles away, where they were...

Cross that Bridge - Ever wonder if you're good enough to be saved? Oh, you're working at it all right. You volunteer at the soup kitchen. You go to Sabbath School. You don't drink or swear or chew or date those who do.

Joyful Sorrow? - If I were to ask if you have ever experienced sorrow, I would feel fairly confident that even though I can’t actually hear your response, you would say, “Oh, yeah!” And if I were to ask if you have ever experienced joy, I...

Muller's Favorite Four - “I wish I could just hear a voice from heaven telling me which choice to make,” a friend recently confided to me. “It’s so hard trying to figure out God’s will!” While most of us don’t hear voices from heaven, we do want to...

Woke Up - My older sister, Cheryl, was an excellent student. When she was in high school, she taped a hand-made poster on the wall just above her desk at home that said, “There will be sleeping enough in the grave.”

To All Nations - At the end of long and grueling trips to build churches and schools in Central America, awaited long and grueling plane rides home. And when it became time to board the plane after each trip, intense waves of emotions would...

Dog Heaven - I’m going to have to put her to sleep soon. For twelve years, she has been the most consistent and faithful friend I have. I’ve only been married for five years and my children are under two.

Perfect Painting - I sat watching my friend, a very talented painter, create a beautiful painting of a field covered with wildflowers. I watched how much detail went into each brush stroke. He had never taken formal art lessons, but he told me that...

The Squeaky Wheel - Chirp! Squeak! Dead silence. On a recent snowy evening, my wife and I realized we had a huge problem. After the strange noises, dead silence, and rapidly chilling house, we quickly came to the conclusion that the furnace...

God's Envelope - Someone gave me an envelope and said, “Use this to cover tuition, or any other costs your students cannot pay themselves.”

Building Character - Recently, I read a wonderful passage of wisdom from a book called "Acts of the Apostles" which said, “Not in the freedom from trial, but in the midst of it, is Christian character developed.”1

Outward Appearances - I take the same route to and from work every day and have noticed the sprucing up of a particular establishment as I pass by. First they painted the outside of their building, put on a new roof and installed a new sign.

Be Still and Know - Technology has changed our lives dramatically in the last century. Personally, I cannot imagine going back to the days of reading by candlelight, traveling by horse and buggy and no indoor plumbing.

Free of Charge - Angry? You could say that! When I looked at the bill for services renedered that I received, my mouth literally dropped open. I had contacted an attorney to assist me with some legal matters, and after a five minute phone...

Big Problem? Big God! - A while back, I was made aware of a poster that says: I don’t tell God how big my problems are. I tell my problems how big God is. What a great thing to remember! Have you had any problems lately?

Wide-angle Lens - It was months before I even laid eyes on the Gateway Arch. Partly due to the weather and partly due to the fact we live south of the city, I just never got around to heading downtown. Going downtown wasn’t a priority.

The Wisest Prayer - As a teenager attending a Christian high school, I recall my friends and I feverishly claiming James 1:5 on test days. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it...

Fellowship - Arriving home from school for the summer, I was excited to get a call from my friend Anna*. She had recently started a Bible study with several friends and invited me to join them. The first week we met in a little city park and...

Spiritual Ponzi - The Ponzi Scheme. Most people have probably heard the phrase, but many do not realize that this incredible form of swindling money from another human being actually took it’s name from Charles Ponzi, a man who lived in the...

Come, Jesus! Today! - Lately, I’ve been riding somewhat of an emotional roller-coaster. I notice I’m not alone, either, as nearly every seat on that ride is packed to capacity! And why wouldn’t it be? As a friend from my teenage years once said so...

Cleansing Power - I like to clean my house. Some people find it funny that I not only like my house clean, I actually enjoy the cleaning process. Cleaning has a very calming effect on me and helps me to feel organized.

An Open Door Policy - Every one of us knows what it’s like to suffer. We all have felt pain, sadness, loss and depression, and each person on earth understands what it means to grieve, mourn and feel hopeless. It’s a cruel fact of this world that...

God High and Deep - I’ve been a flatlander for most of my life. With the exception of one year in which I could see the Pennsylvania mountains in the distance, I have lived where the land was gently rolling at best. Currently I live in...

Blindly Following - I truly didn’t mean to do it, but when I saw the sign, “Welcome to Canada,” I knew I’d made a very wrong turn. Recently, my family made a trip to the Northeast United States, and on our way back we decided to have a...

Seeing the Unseen - My scientist-professor friend tells me there are more non-human cells on and in the human body than human cells. Bacteria and such, he says. How does he know this? Only 150 years ago scientists and doctors didn’t even...

Overawed with Riches - Just last week, my husband received a newsy e-mail from some old college friends of ours. Having not heard from them for a couple years, he eagerly read the message and passed the word along to me.

Why Go To Church? - One of the things I’m very grateful for is that I have been in church every week since I was brought home from the hospital at birth. What a blessing! I joined my family as the youngest of four children, and I also joined a...

Lesson of the Leaf - What is your favorite season? I appreciate the beauty of autumn and anticipate and admire it every year. I often take pictures of fall’s flamboyant redecoration process.

Hope Plans - The heroic rescue efforts for the six trapped miners in Utah in August 2007 provided some significant perspectives on the human experience of hope. First, we are extremely reluctant to give up hoping, even in the face of...

Teach Me to Heel - I love dogs and have shared my heart and home with two of them during my life. As a responsible pet owner, I always trained my dogs to act as pleasant, cooperative family members (for the most part).

Baptism, Why Bother? - I grew up in a family and a church that believed in water baptism, not a little bit of water, but a full dunking. It was believed that around 12 years of age was the appropriate time, just about the time when a child could...

A Summer Reflection - I walked along the banks of a small creek following its rocky path through the cool, shady woods. There were piles of sticks and debris caught in some vines I had to maneuver around. It reminded me of messes in my life.

Frivolous Opulence - This dessert is the holder of the "Guiness Book of World Records" for the most expensive sundae on the planet. Behold the Golden Opulence Sundae, painstakenly constructed by Serendipty 3, a posh restaurant in...

More Than Berries - I went blueberry picking today. Sure, my family could buy berries at our local fruit stand, but we got up at the crack of dawn for “the experience of it.” Turns out I walked away with more than the berries.

Prayer and Presence - When a doctoral student at Princeton Seminary asked, "What is there left in the world for original dissertation research?" Albert Einstein replied, "Find out about prayer. Somebody must find out about prayer."

Poison Ivy - In our area of the country we had a cold spring. (It snowed on Easter!) It sure made getting a start on spring weeding easy. It got warm enough to work outside but not warm enough to speed the weed growth to out-of-control...

Mysterious Rivers - When I gaze down at a river from the bank, I am always filled with a sense of curiosity, trepidation and even a twinge of fear. Rivers are mysterious creatures. They wind, bend, curl, flow, trickle and rush in an almost...

Fruity Tomatoes - I planted tomatoes last month. Well at least I thought I planted tomatoes. I went to the nursery and found the “Tomato” sign and chose the colors of pots that corresponded with the varieties I wanted and brought...

Imitators of God - My Bible reading recently lead me to a verse in Ephesians that immediately caught my attention. Though only a short verse, I stopped to read it over and over.

His Due Date - My first child arrived in the world a week overdue. I’m hoping this next one isn’t as much of a procrastinator. What I most depend on is the knowledge that he can’t stay in there forever. He’s got to come out eventually.

Red Car Envy - It was hard to miss. Parked in front of the church was a beautiful cherry-red convertible. The top down and in the driver’s seat, Leslie was reclining, her blond hair flowing over the headrest. She looked happy and peaceful...

What Do You Think? - A well-known preacher named Morris Venden said, “We are not what we think we are. We are what we think.” I’m not sure if that was his original thought or if he gleaned that from some other wise person. Either way, it’s true.

Taking Action Today - “If you say, "See, we did not know this," does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?” (Proverbs 24:12). This is a very

A Counterfeit Hawk - A family of red-shouldered hawks is nesting in a big pine, just behind my bedroom window. I have written about them before. We have grown fond of our new neighbors. The hawks’ presence has allowed us to harvest our garden.

With God as My Boss - Toilets. I hate cleaning toilets. I would have to say that swishing and swiping the porcelain throne ranks right up there as one of my least favorite weekly chores. To make matters worse, we own not one but three toilets in our...

Socks and Discernment - Our dog, Socks, is a big wimp when it comes to thunderstorms. She is a very mild-mannered Border Collie, who doesn’t have an aggressive bone in her body. However, when a storm is brewing, she does everything she can to...

When God Shows Up - Mahatma Gandhi once said, "He who does not see God in the next person he meets need look no further." When you stop and think about it, that's a pretty profound insight, spirituality is about seeing each other as God sees us.

Thankful Perspective - The last few months have been a time of transition for my family. My husband took a job from a friend so that we could move closer to my family before I gave birth to our second child. We were happy about this job because we...

Today... - Every morning as I drive to school I pass a large billboard on the side of the road. The messages change frequently; some are pretty bland, some are downright bizarre. Currently, the sign reads: Today could be the day.

"Don't Be Afraid" - Vera was frightened. While riding the city bus home from her downtown job, she’d accidentally gotten off at the wrong stop. The night was dark, the street vacant. She had no choice but to start walking home.

Trusting...Again - Math. Definitely not my favorite subject. I didn’t like math as a student, I didn’t like math when I home schooled my kids, and I don’t like math as a substitute teacher in the local public high school where I work.

Binding Together - John Donne, the great 16th century poet, once wrote: "To be no part of anybody is to be nothing." He obviously recognized one of the fundamental elements of being human, the need to be in meaningful relationship with others.

Weeds and Sins - This summer my grass-challenged back yard promises to teach me more than I ever wanted to learn about weeds and lawn care. I recently spent two whole afternoons squatting, stooping, and kneeling throughout my weed...

The Guardians - A pair of hawks set up a nest in a big pine tree right behind my house. The tree is not ten yards from my bedroom window. They are big, handsome birds, brown with white breasts.

Sin Sign - More people will probably think twice before stealing items from the Wal-Mart in Attalla, Alabama. A startling reminder of what can happen to retail “rip-offs” has been seen outside the entrances of the store.

Are You Listening? - Have you ever stopped whatever you were doing and simply listened to and tried to identify all the sounds around you? It's amazing how much sound and noise bombards our senses through the course of a day.

Praying for Good Guys - Not long ago, I received a useful moment of discipline from the Lord. First, I must say that I consider myself a real prayer warrior. In addition to praying for my own spiritual growth, I have a list of people I pray for every day.

Heavenly Rewards - Mike and Bobby are brothers and today is their last day of school before summer vacation. Mike is in the fifth grade and Bobby is in the fourth grade. Although this is the last day of class, they are both nervous.

Lawn Care for Life - Weeds thrive in our yard. Some grass grows too, but rather sparsely and plagued with mites and a fungus that attacks grass. The first strike against us is location; grass struggles in Colorado’s arid climate and requires extra...

No Doubt - My belly is huge… and I still have 10 weeks until D-Day. A lot of time to mull over all that could happen on the day I deliver my second son. And knowing first hand all the craziness of labor and delivery, it has made me wonder...

Giant Hoax - Many have declared it to be the greatest hoax of all time. Resting at its permanent home in the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, New York is a relic so ridiculous and incredible that it netted it’s owner hefty profits.

Pray Like Nehemiah - Dear God, Here’s what I need today: 1. Heal my grandmother. She’s sick and could really use a miracle. 2. Keep my husband safe as he travels today, and help him make a lot of sales. 3. Give my children a great day.

Pass the Bread - Bread, the “staff of life” in it's basic form is simply flour, water and yeast. But I can't think of anything that smells better than bread when it's baking.

Sole Healer - O.K. I admit it; I don’t always keep my eyes closed during prayer! Now, with that confession out of the way, let me tell you what I once observed.

Never a Hole in One - Being a Christian in a church can be an endless gauntlet of enduring unfairness! This parable of the talents, found in Matthew 25, proves it. At the end of the story, what happens to the man who only got one?

Your Soul's Price - What price would you put on your soul? Would you sell it for a lover? Or a job? How about a million dollars?

The Surprise Inside - “What’s in the trunk?” I asked quizzically. “Nothing but some old newspapers,” came the reply. I was looking at the items in an elderly woman’s home and I knew from my years in the antique auction business that when sorting...

Hold Me Close - “Hold me close, Jesus,” I prayed anxiously. I’ve made prayer a part of my daily life since I was a young girl. I’d prayed for a sick dog, to find a lost shoe, or to make an “A” on a test.

Fine-tuning the Gift - There’s an old story floating around in the Kennedy family empire, which had one brother successfully run for President at the age of 42, another make a run for the White House at the same age, and a third brother in the...

Acts of God - Earlier this year, a large chunk of ice fell from the cloudy skies above Tampa, Florida onto a parked 2000 Ford Mustang, caving the roof in and blowing out the rear window.

How God Speaks To Me - When I was a little girl, there were times that I would ask God to speak to me through lightening bolts and a loud booming voice. At the time, I didn't understand why He wouldn’t talk to me that way.

Seen vs. Unseen - I consider myself privileged to stay home full time and raise my two preschool-age children. The only drawback is that this decision places us solidly in the “single income family” category. God blesses us enormously.

I'm Blessed and Guilty - Believe it or not, some people have few significant trials and see themselves as so blessed by God that it makes them feel guilty!

Lost Coin - The panicky feeling started as soon as I opened my eyes. When had I last seen my wallet? Pawing through my gigantic purse, I hoped that the black wallet was hidden under some of the stuff I can’t live without...

Road to Riches - In the past several weeks, I have been inundated by a barrage of email scams. Perhaps you have been baited by them, as well. Worse than the Publisher’s Clearinghouse come-on’s that used to cram my mailbox, these email...

Pass Me Your Pie - Is it all right to be aggressively ambitious in our Christianity? To want to be the five-talent guy in Jesus’ Matthew 25 parable? The now-famous prayer of I Chronicles 4:10 has Jabez praying, "O Lord, bless me indeed."

Is Your Fever High? - My daughter, son-in-law and grandson Jake were visiting from Cornwall, England. We had a great time catching up and introducing Jake to his cousins Tommy and Brandon. But then the inevitable happened.

Endless Extravaganza - I recently attended the annual Chicagoland Flower and Garden Show, held this year for the first time in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

The Empty Tomb - When you think of something that’s empty, it’s often a negative thought: an empty cookie jar, an empty wallet, an empty gas tank, or an empty house. But with Easter just past, I’m reminded of something else that’s empty...

Helping the Homeless - It was summer of 1998, in San Jose, California, when I entered the luxurious hotel from the parking garage below. Stepping off the elevator I nearly bounced off the plush carpeting.

Charles, My Superior - Charles is 18 years old, attends the high school where I work, smiles a lot, has some moments of temper, and looks at the world through crystal blue eyes. Charles is also retarded.

Feelings Got Hurt - There’s a talent investor in the Bible who got his ego bruised. The boss gave his best friends five or two talents to invest for the company—and he only got one. So it was time to pout.

Special Consideration - We were producing a new Hi-Definition video for Health and Healing TV; Dave and I got up early and stayed out late in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks. As is common in September, it froze on Thursday.

The Hope of Heaven - As I drew close to her bedside, Adrianna appeared to be sleeping. At only 36 she still looked very young. Her warm brown curls reached well below her shoulders, delicately falling upon her alabaster forearms.

Small Enough - Most people find themselves disgusted with their behavior at times. Times of self-pity or maybe protecting one’s pride in some way. Often, the behavior is followed by a stinging realization of smallness, resulting in self...

Remember or Dismember - I’ve recently moved to St. Louis and have had to find a new church home. The church I’ve chosen, because of its friendliness, Christ-like members, activity and amount of small groups, encourages new members to attend...

Filling the Core - One day while surfing the web the following add was “in my face” before I could scroll it out of view. Happy looking men and women, young and old were staring me down through an assortment of stylish looking spectacles.

Get into the Game! - Do you have a talent that is sitting on a shelf—or buried in the ground, as Jesus describes in his parable from Matthew 25?

Ready For Rainbows - I thought I dusted very well last night! I used dusting spray and a good cloth. I wasn’t hurrying too much. But as I sit at my desk this morning I am astonished by what I see!

Playing Hookey - As a child, did you ever play hookey? For a number of years in elementary school I employed a method of dodging class with the unknowing cooperation of my mother.

Bible Promises - I don’t know if this has ever happened to you. In the midst of the chaos of moving from one apartment to another, having lived with roommates that are often messy packrats just like I am, I end up with stuff that’s not...

Knowing God's Will - “I wish I could just hear a voice from heaven telling me which choice to make,” a friend recently confided to me. “It’s so hard trying to figure out God’s will!”

Set Free! - During the 1700’s, Frederick II, King of Prussia, visited a prison in Berlin. While interacting with the inmates, he was bombarded with their protests of innocence. “Unjustly accused, incriminated, framed!”

Dead to Sin - The Bible says you can be dead and alive at the same time. Not only that, it says that in order to live successfully, you must be in this condition.

Bumped! - “We’ve been bumped!” I could hardly contain my excitement in May of 2006 when the airline that we were flying with told us that they would give my entire family of five free tickets to anywhere in the lower 48 states.

Missing Both Parties - I just got back from Mardi Gras – the safe version in Lafayette, Louisiana. The New Orleans version is a bit too spicy for Pastor Dave.

Lost and Found - We were lost. There was no doubt about it. My daughter-in-law and I were already running late for a party to which we’d been invited – we didn’t really want to go, so we dragged our feet getting ready.

Blessings Unexpected - Some hours had passed since I climbed from my bed in my remote tropical island home to begin the day’s activities in the Bible school. Everything was normal, but something gnawed within me.

Amazing Love - A recent internet article entitled, "The Hardest I Worked for Love," struck to the heart of a very important relationship principle –we often have to work hard for a friendship or romance to flourish.

Rest in Peace - During the 1980’s, ‘scientists’ reportedly looking for oil in Siberia, drilled nine miles down where they broke through the earth’s crust into a spot where the temperature was 2000 degrees F.

Listen To Jesus - Most people have the ability to hear audible sounds. Their ears work fine! For these, hearing is a deeply treasured gift!

The Gift - Thoughtfully placed in my hand, a tubular form rattled slightly as my fingers wrapped around it. Even with my eyes held tightly closed, I knew what it was—a kaleidoscope! I had always wanted one and now here it was given to me.

Ticket to Ride - Known as the father of nuclear physics, Nobel prize-winner, Albert Einstein was German by birth but migrated to America and became a U.S. citizen in 1940. Traveling one day on a train from New York City the renowned...

Saved by a Hymn - A party of Northern tourists formed a portion of a company gathered on the deck of an excursion steamer that was moving slowly down the historic Potomac one beautiful evening in the summer of 1881.

Unanswered Prayers - The job was an answer to my prayers. Work I loved doing coupled with a big raise—tripling my salary. I had been interviewed. The group where I would be working was excited about having me join. The hiring manager wanted me.

Salt Away - As a child, one of my favorite school lunch bag treats was a hard boiled egg. With delight I would slam the egg against the cafeteria table, roll it in the palm of my hand and then try to peel off the cracked shell.

Deliverance From Evil - All my life I have known that there is a battle going on between good and evil. I have always known that Satan is trying to destroy us, while God is trying to save us, but I had never really understood it on a personal level.

The Big E - How narrow can human beings be in their thinking? The answer; well, it depends. A recent study appearing in an issue of Psychological Science seems to indicate that people become more self-oriented when they have more power.

Lessons in Trust - It was during a very dark time in my life that the Lord manifested Himself to me in a miraculous way. My husband and I were in the midst of some desperate years that we spent in financial ruin.

The Womb of Nightglow - Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion? Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?"

Christian Hands - "Why are you doing this Scott?” It was a simple question, but Sue was not quite prepared for the profound answer that would follow.

He Will Be - “He will be.” These three words hold such strength for me today. They sound so promising—so sure. A friend e-mailed them to me this morning, knowing that I’m going through a tough time dealing with my brother’s cancer.

The Top Resolution - By the time you read this story, 2007 will be at least a few days old. If you are like most people, you are almost a week into your New Year’s resolutions, if you made any.

Heaven's Choir - When my mother was a little girl, she lived through some extraordinary experiences that can only be described as miraculous.

The Day Will Come - Even from my seat toward the middle of the auditorium, I could see Linda’s eyes water. “Has it really been twenty-eight years?” she asked—more to herself than to those gathered at her retirement ceremony.

Search for Sanity - In western culture we try to fill every waking moment of each day with activity. Productivity is closely associated with personal success and self-worth.

Labels - I recently stumbled across a web page that actually lists names and labels of some of the strange addictions that people possess in our fast-moving cyber society.

The Called - But Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

The Required Runway - The wrong runway. How could that happen? Did the pilots talk together about the fact that, in the pre-dawn, the runway was not lighted?

Transformed! - I have a list of people I pray for every day. I pray for my own walk with God and also for my family and others.

Job Security - A decade ago, I began working for a world-renowned computer chip manufacturing corporation. For the first several years of my employment, the company was “rolling in dough.”

Telling the Truth - I hate being lied to. Most people do, yet lying is rampant in our society.

On Bread Alone - Have you ever missed a meal? Of course you have! So, you know that when you do, your body will generally signal you that it wants food.

Christian? - What’s the definition of a Christian? That’s the question that a small youth group in Iowa took to the streets. With video camera in tow, they went to the city square and asked random shoppers what they think a Christian is.

My Tombstone - Lately, I’ve been thinking about my tombstone. No, I’m not feeling morose. I’m just taking a moment to think of what it is I’d like to have written on it.

Careful How You Pray - “Pray in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20). What does this mean? It means more things than we can describe here, but one meaning is this.

White Elephants - Have you climbed to the top of Mt. McCoy? For those who don’t know it, Mt. McCoy is a peak at the western end of Simi Valley in Southern California, punctuated by a large white cross at the top.

The 3 R's of Life - Reading, writing and arithmetic are extremely important. But there are three other R’s that wind deeper within the fabric of human life. In fact, without these three the traditional three as we know them would never have happened.

Grasshopper Lessons - I was walking to my car after an appointment on one of those sunny summer days back in August 2006, thinking about what a wonderful day God gave us.

Preach It, Peaches! - Today was peach-picking day at the Simmons home! And what a joy it was to stand under our three-year-old tree as it provided its very first yield of delicious, juicy peaches!

"Abide With Me!" - On the lawns of Navy House last year, I was introduced to the vice admiral. “Thank you for the wonderful piece you wrote on the navy,” he said, and I smiled.

Let It Snow! - Here in the Midwest, there is an abundance of snow, and with it, an abundance of people who don't like it. It's understandable. After all, snow is cold, snow is often accompanied by biting winds, and snow can even be hazardous.

You Snooze, You Lose - For several weeks during a period when I was especially tired, I was awakened during the night by a strange, buzzing sound.

Surrounded with Favor - I couldn’t help crying when I recently read about the little Amish girls in Pennsylvania, USA, ruthlessly murdered in their schoolroom by a deranged stranger.

God's Block Heater - Winter mornings move slowly in North Dakota, especially when it’s colder than usual. I well remember one icy day at 7 a.m. when the temperature was 30 below zero with a 20 mph wind.

Empty Cross - Out of all that I have learned and have yet to learn as a Christian, I think the most intriguing and at the same time the most beautiful belief of all to me is how God can let me come to Him.

Heart Surprise - Have you ever noticed how the day after Halloween, you're likely to find smashed pumpkins everywhere? Driving up the street by my home the morning of November 1st, I marveled at the beautiful new blacktop that had just been laid.

God Answers Prayer - "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!

The Quilt - Not long ago I pieced my first full-sized quilt. I thought that since there were only 30 blocks I could average one a day and be finished in a month. How wrong I was!

Thirsty - Have you ever been so thirsty you thought you were going to pass out? So thirsty that every time you swallowed it felt like you were swallowing sand paper? I’m pretty good about drinking my eight cups of water.

Light in the Darkness - Wow! Working at a public high school on Halloween can be a pretty scary experience. The kids were free to come to school in costume, so as I walked in the door, I saw a variety of gory, bloody, gruesome attire.

Idealism vs Pragmatism - I'm definitely an idealist; I understand and aim for God's ideal plan as laid out in Scripture. But wait. I know we live in a world corrupted by sin and that God's ideal plan for human life, my life, will probably never work, so I'm a pragmatist.

Buried Alive! - Browsing the Internet, I recently came across several short but fascinating stories.

Witness! - Wow, I’m having a real moment of revelation on the idea of witnessing! A few days ago as I was in prayer, I was asking God to use me as a witness that day. Then, as soon as I had said that, I answered back to myself...

Lost and Found - Have you ever lost anything of importance? Of course you have; we all have. It’s a part of life.

Tricks...No Treats! - Several Brooklyn, New York vehicle owners are hopping mad! They woke up to find that their vehicles had mysteriously disappeared! The streets where they normally parked their cars was empty...

Dreaming of Victory - The judge was holding up No. 118, my number. I raised my arm to indicate my readiness and the judge nodded. Taking my place on the square mat, I began my routine.

The Rock - I’ve been thinking about life experiences. Some are mountaintop experiences where I’ve stood in joy and strength on the solid rock of the summit. Others are very low experiences where I’ve sunk to rock bottom.

The Garden - As I turned the key in the lock and opened the door of the truck, my mind was unable to process the message dispatched by my eyes.

Temptation and Sin - If sin were not fun, there would be nothing tempting about it. We are tempted by sin because it is something that entices us. It is something that we have an appetite for. It is something fun…or at least it looks and feels like fun.

One Thing Is Needed - Martha was a great hostess and a good cook. Her friend, Jesus, was coming to dinner, and she wanted everything to be just right.

Honest Confession - The familiar voice on the other end of the phone line answered, “Larry’s Sports Center.” “May I speak to Rachel, please?” I asked. While I waited to be transferred, my mind raced with the suggestion, why don’t you hang up and just be nicer next time?

Pickers Needed - Pear season has arrived in Hood River, Oregon, and according to local agricultural officials, there is a serious shortage of pickers.

Old Faithful - With summer now behind us, and the hope of Indian summer remaining, I can’t help but wonder, “How does it all go by so fast?” Hopefully, you will still be able to spend some relaxing days. . .

Mercies Every Morning - “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness"

Finders Givers - Sharon loved to give to her church, but being retired she didn’t have much. She wondered how she could increase her giving when her income was limited and didn’t increase.

Do not be Afraid - Following a miraculous deliverance, God freed the Israelite nation from Egyptian captivity. The time was the mid-fifteenth century B.C. The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for over four hundred years.

Mother to the People - As the ship cast anchor off Duke Town on the slave coast of West Africa, the young woman who had so bravely left her home in Scotland to become a missionary was facing a scary reality.

Proving God's Will - How can you prove God’s will for your life? The Bible answer is in Romans 12:2.

Just Sitting? - Sitting… on the porch, my feet propped up, watching the white light of early-morning northern sun swell, burst, and splash its glow on everything in its path.

I Learned to Pray - I was born into a religious family, and as early as I can remember, my mother taught me to always pray. So I learned the Lord’s Prayer and recited it constantly for years—that is, before I started to covet.

Who Rides Shotgun? - Last summer, I read about a mother of five who was charged with child abuse and cruelty.

Young Wisdom - Have you ever heard the saying, “the older you get, the wiser you get,” or something similar? The majority of the time this is true—it is common among most cultures that the elderly are treated with respect and people come to them for advice.

Posy of Promises - An attitude of gratitude. It has a neat ring to it. But once we take a closer look, we can’t help but wonder, “What is it and how do I get one?”

Now I See - Did you love to play marbles as a kid? I sure did! My marble collection was one of my most prized childhood possessions.

Help for Every Need - How would you like to receive a blank check that you could fill in for all your needs? Well, you can. Here's how. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus"(Philippians 4:19).

Name in Vain - “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name” (Exodus 20:7).

Ready to Ask - When I left Michigan that warm August morning, after successfully completing three years of graduate school, I made a vow to only go forward from that point on.

Babylon Today - If you travel today about 45 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, you’ll come to Babylon. Babylon is the most famous ancient city in the world.

Refueling the Soul - A little over a year ago, my wife and I decided to take a driving vacation from Virginia to Texas.

Bless My Putter - It’s an irony of short-sightedness that of all the people in the Bible’s well-known “Feeding of the 5,000” story, virtually all of them scored exactly what we read about: one free supper.

The Counterfeit - Today, I was surprised to learn of a sham sweeping through my small town.

Questions And Answers - When I was a little girl I asked a lot of questions, as most children do.

Sale of the Centuries - I was quietly poking around in an old Victorian home/antique shop many years ago, when the shop’s owner began a conversation with me.

Monsoon! - Last week, an ill wind blew through our small desert town. The temperature hovered around 115 degrees and at first the breeze that began to stir was a welcome relief from the scorching heat.

Lifetime Pregnancy - Yesterday I visited a new community hospital especially designed for pregnant women. The lovely facility featured beautiful architecture, helpful caregivers and the latest technology.

Salvation from a Dory - As a boy growing up in Creston South, Newfoundland, we did not have any commercial amusements, but we enjoyed the local events that took place in our town.

Rise Up and Walk - Acts 3:1-11 tells the story of a poor beggar, crippled from birth. This man lay at the beautiful gate of the temple in Jerusalem.

The New Sunroom - Last month I started work on a new sunroom addition in Poquoson, Virginia.

Futile Phobia - Do you have a phobia? Almost everyone I know has at least one, and while I was surfing the web recently, I stumbled upon a phobia list that was quite enlightening, and strangely humorous to me.

Following Jesus - As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”

Inside Travel Tips - I remember reading the story of a young boy who hated the idea of heaven. His Sunday school teachers were rather shocked and embarrassed by his insistence that he didn’t want to go there.

Gone Fishing - Anyone who has done much fishing knows there are times when the fish won’t bite.

Borrowed Parachute - On Valentine’s Day of 2005, Bill Parsons made his last and fatal skydive after filming a “tandem” jump in Hawaii.

Nothing to Dread - My stomach was in a huge knot and my palms were sweating heavily. How was I ever going to get through this? I sat like a statue staring at the speaker before me.

The Ten - Not long ago I inherited a house full of furniture. Even though most of it was damaged through neglect, I hung onto it. In fact, I moved it twice, a total of a thousand miles with the hope I could restore it to its original beauty.

The Runaway - Sitting down by the small campfire, I reached out for the can of Campbell's Vegetable soup anticipating a great supper all to myself. I was free. Free from my parents rules, free from chores, and free from a life where I constantly answered to someone!

Doomed Divisiveness - There’s a hard reality I’ve had to face about the temptation to stir up strife or criticize others. Simply put, it doesn’t work! Period. If I want to change people by yelling at them, I get the opposite effect when they stubbornly dig in their heels.

Fair Wages - One Saturday evening around midnight as I drove through downtown Phoenix, I noticed my gas gauge hovering precariously near E. Being forty miles from home, I pulled into a well-lit station where I observed a lot of activity taking place.

Life Without God - One cold January morning, I had the chance to give a devotional talk in the Florida Hospital Imaging Center. I had been asked to talk about the New Year, with new beginnings...

Adopted by God - In Japan, all ages observe Revere Your Elders Day. Tribal leaders in Native American cultures are called wisdomkeepers and act as guides to younger tribe members.

In His Time - Her right leg hung limply in the therapy department’s leg sling (a device to monitor and encourage muscle movement). The spring that held the wide canvas strap cradling my wife’s leg was so loose...

Avocado Trees - Not long ago, my wife and I were thinking about getting an avocado tree. So I went on the Internet to get instructions on how to grow one. This is what I learned.

Dad Will Be New - My Dad died not long ago, at 97 years old. He didn't linger. In fact, he'd been keeping house, driving his car, and doing his own shopping and cooking until about three weeks before he died.

I'll Never Understand - When my children were young, I told them that in America some hotels once had posted signs outside saying, “No Jews or dogs allowed.” My daughter, six, was horrified.

With Confidence - A few years ago I went to Seattle for a four-day weekend getaway to visit my family. One of the highlights of my trip was to meet the latest addition to the family, my nephew, Nicholas!

Still Faithful - Hosea was one of the twelve Minor Prophets, but his mission was a bit different than the other prophets. Hosea was called on by God to marry a prostitute and have children by her.

Help From the Sky - A couple of years ago, I set out on an adventure. It was an awesome day following a mid-October rain. The sun was shining and the air was pristine. Grasping the moment, I headed toward the Santa Monica Mountains.

Live By Faith - Driving along the highway yesterday, I saw a church sign with the sermon title, “Faith is Daring the Soul to Go Beyond What the Eyes Can See!”

The Cross and Forgiveness - “I’ll never forgive him for what he did!” The person’s words shocked me. But you’ve probably heard similar words at some time. Some people have a hard time forgiving those who do them wrong.

Good Morning, Young Man - “Good morning, young man.” It was Richard. He usually called early on Sunday morning. His voice was slurred. He’d been drinking.

The Best Bible - The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek with a few passages in Aramaic as well. Most people nowadays don’t read ancient Hebrew or Greek so we rely on translations. But that brings us to the question: Which translation is the best?

Family Angel - My wife is in a wheelchair, so it has only been natural for all of our babies to rest comfortably on her lap while I push her where she needs to go.

Perplexing Questions - My printer was out of ink, and in searching for some new cartridges to replace the empties I encountered a startling revelation.

Sabbath Rest - People in today’s world find it difficult to take a day off every week, a day in which no work, no finances, and no business takes place.

Hagar, My Hero - Everything was going great. She was happy, lived in beautiful surroundings and the work was easy. The mistress was a little bossy, but that was to be expected because her husband was rich and powerful. Yes, Hagar’s life was going great.

Together Again - I remember the day I left home for college. I even remember the date! August 20th, 1997. At the airport with a bunch of friends and family we said our good-byes and I boarded the plane.

Losing Jesus - When He was twelve years old, Jesus went with His parents to the temple in Jerusalem. It was the time of the yearly Feast of the Passover.

Heaven's Door - Narnia fans around the world were thrilled to spend part of their ‘05 Christmas season vicariously walking into a wardrobe closet in Professor Kirke’s house.

If It Offends You - I still remember the first time I met Kurt. He had come to our youth group. He made a big impact.

Cutting the Grass - We are now in the heart of summer and any plant that loves full sunshine and water is growing at peak efficiency.

The Key to Power - I’d been having trouble with my 13-year-old car. A sympathetic person loaned me his car while mine was being repaired.

Heavenly Moisture - Everyone warned us. The Philippines is hot. It is humid. Living in the Philippines is a lot different than living in Los Angeles. Everyone warned us. The Philippines is hot. It is humid.

I Love a Good Fight! - In the ’06 Winter Olympics, America got caught up in a week-long soap opera between two speed skaters. Who as snubbing who? Who wasn’t trying his hardest?

Don't Hurt The Kids - When Lisa and I first got married, and her young daughter entered my life, my own mom essentially lost all interest in me. Kami was everything.

Let Jesus Lead - Jean Francois Gravelet, a.k.a. Charles Blondin, was somewhat of a legend in the last century. He was a world-famous tightrope walker and acrobat.

Faithful Dogs? - My dog is faithful. He is always glad to see me. He wags his tail and follows me around when I’m home.

Junk Drawer - Do you have a “junk drawer?” Almost everyone I know has one, including me. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please let me explain.

Golden Rule - While in the Marine Corps, I spent some time in Africa conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Impeccable Timing! - Working in a Christian hospital in the area of pastoral care, I try to make it a habit of going to the hospital chapel each morning to pray for my patients.

Just Ask - It was Saturday night. I was sitting alone in our family’s car, watching the people walking by. I was six years old, and broke.

Real Prosperity - There is no doubt that the Bible talks about prosperity. God wants to prosper His people.

Laws and Penalties - Did you know that if everyone in the country obeyed the laws set by the government you wouldn’t have to lock your doors at night? You wouldn’t have to lock your car when you go to the store.

How Will Jesus Return? - You know the scenario. A man wakes up in the morning. His wife is not in bed beside him. In fact, she’s nowhere in the house. He checks with his neighbors.

Meaningful Meditations - In today’s “information age” when our senses are continuously bombarded with stimuli, silence can be an obscure commodity.

The Mighty Wind - I was startled in my hotel room by an unusual noise that I didn’t recognize and so I crept to the window to take a peek. Looking out of my third story window, I noticed that the flag pole was flexing like a reed in a storm.

Friends with God - If you aren’t a Christian, you may have asked yourself, “Why should I be a Christian?” You may wonder what it is about Christianity that causes so many people to “join up.”

Party Line - When I was six years old, my parents had a telephone installed in our home for the first time. We resided in a very rural area, so a telephone was a luxury.

A Better Place - The top of Mt. Everest is littered with used oxygen tanks and other unnecessaries that climbing aficionados have unloaded before their final ascent to the top of the world.

The Good Samaritan - In Bible times, the good Samaritan rode a donkey. But today you might find a good Samaritan on a motorcycle.

Terminating Error - In Super Bowl XXXVII, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Raiders, the final score of 48-21 was substantially overshadowed by an off-the-field football player in a Reebok commercial.

Empty Pockets - On a recent Saturday, I wheeled my truck into a county parking lot, cut the engine, grabbed my stuff, locked the door and headed for the building.

Is the Bible True? - Before I became a Christian, I had serious doubts about the authenticity of the Bible. How could anyone believe in 2000-year-old stories about a man who claimed to be God?

Peace, Be Still - Have you been battered by the storms of life that come suddenly upon you without warning? The disciples of Jesus were once in that situation.

Winter Doldrums - I hate January. I really do. There’s not one January on record that I recall enjoying myself. It’s possible I do it to myself.

Shear Peace - Shrek is no ordinary sheep. I have a picture of him on my home computer, and I must confess that in the picture he looks like a bale of wool…with legs.

Unlikely Servants - Indian Charlie, Patrick and Linda came in out of the cold to visit. They were not expected and not particularly welcomed.

Just that Simple - It was a sunny, 70-degree February morning in my new California neighborhood. I was tagging along behind our ever-pulling Husky when I saw them.

No Strings Attached - I remember my sadness, the day one of my best friends moved from our neighborhood. Yet, within weeks, a new family settled in with a daughter just my age.

Another Man's Crime - Calvin Willis stepped out of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, his arms raised in victory.

Coming Again - Every year at Christmas time, much of the world celebrates the first coming of Jesus.

More Than Conqueror - Paul says that as believers in Jesus we are more than conquerors. A conqueror is a winner. He or she has beat out the opposition and come out on top.

Chain Letter Deity? - Remember when chain letters were all the rage? In case you’ve forgotten, they went something like this:

The Quiet Voice - Peggy felt impressed. She felt the Holy Spirit’s quiet voice saying to her to make amends with her mother.

Houdini Christians - Harry Houdini was perhaps the greatest escape artist this world has ever known.

Tattoos and Scars - Singer-actress Brandy Norwood made the papers recently because of her tattoo.

Open Our Eyes! - The New York Times ran a story about a boy who was blind. Someone asked him what he would wish for if he were granted just one wish.

Running to Win - At mile 238, in her third day of continuously pounding the pavement, Pam Reed guzzled Ensure as she closed in on her goal of 300 non-stop miles.

Yosemite Church - Yesterday morning I had the privilege to watch the sunrise over Half Dome from Glacier Point inYosemite National Park.

Winning Life's Race - Nike wants us to believe that having the right shoes will make us winners. We can overcome any obstacle with the right equipment and the right attitude.

Where Are the Nine? - One day Jesus healed ten men of the dreaded, wasting disease of leprosy. As soon as they were healed, they took off running.

Beware: Sharks! - Brian Anderson, 31, was surfing off the coast of Northern Oregon on December 24th, 2005 when a great white shark attacked him.

New Year, New You! - Lurking amidst a stack of coupons that recently landed in my mail box was the following assurance: New Year, New You!

Capture the Moment - I was at a church wedding recently that really made me feel quite uncomfortable.

A Better Country - The Bible tells the story of two wealthy ranchers who lived long ago in the Middle East.

When to Believe - Modern-day miracles and supernatural events surround us, but they are often missed.

Come On In - An excuse is what a person makes when he or she doesn’t want to do something, but doesn’t have a reason.

Saved by Hope - We cannot exist without hope. We need something to look forward to. Today's disappointments make us long for better tomorrows.

Death Will End - I can still remember the night that my sister received the news that changed her life.

Hard to Swallow - Recently I had a medical procedure which required me to drink about a gallon of liquid in a couple of hours.

Extreme Makeover - One of the more popular television shows in the past few years has been a program called Extreme Makeover.

It's Just Smoke - A number of years ago, a major television network aired a program that infuriated magicians everywhere.

Lucky? - Did you catch the news about Lucky, the calico house cat that was tossed into the icy waters of a Montana river a few days after Christmas?

Change Is Coming - My world is changing around me and I have to face it. And like most people I don’t really like change.

More Than Rules - People who say one thing and do another aren't good role models. They may have lofty ideals and be able to articulate worthy goals, but if its only talk that fails to impact their lives, forget it!

Like Paul Bunyan - Back in the days when logging was emerging as a major industry in the West, there arose a legendary figure called Paul Bunyan.

We Should Always Pray - The Bible says that we should always pray, and not lose heart. One day I was visiting with a young woman who was telling me about all her problems.

Better Than Boots - Criminal authorities tell us that one of the best ways to protect yourself and your home from intruders may also be the least costly.

Forgive and Remember - Recently an Orlando, Florida, man took out a full-page newspaper ad to ask for his wife’s forgiveness. She had left him two weeks before . . .

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