Musings— Written September 11, 2025. Today is a sad day for the American people—a day of remembering of a dark day in history—the day the towers fell. That day changed life for all the American people and affected the whole world. Yesterday a young man, a fellow American, fell to the bullet of an... Continue Reading →
“Let It Rather Be Healed.”
We have this little word in the English language, which cannot stand alone, but is one of significate importance. That small three lettered word is “let.” It means to not prevent or forbid—allow. In my own words it means giving permission, to surrender, to allow something to take place. It is to give permission for... Continue Reading →
Have You Any Meat
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.John 21:5-6 KJV Today Jesus is... Continue Reading →
Sins Spiritual Needs and Godly Care
We live in a time when there is a lot of focus on personal rights—people fighting for equal rights and opportunities. While there are a good many things that can come out of it, there is the problem of it going too far in demanding personal rights—having an attitude of entitlement. They think they have... Continue Reading →
The Problem with Fault-Finding
Perhaps ten years ago I had this unusual, interesting lesson from God. You know how it is; we dress our best going to church, wearing long-sleeved shirts, slacks, dress shoes, and all the rest that goes with Sunday attire. On this Sunday morning, I walked in and sat in one of the back pews. Suddenly,... Continue Reading →
Real Ingredients
The other day I went to the store for American cheese for hamburgers. My wife wanted to be sure that I got the stuff with “Real” ingredients, real cheese, not a substitute. After staring at labels that said, “Made with Real Milk products.” I selected the one which was not made with canola oil and... Continue Reading →
Light, Glorious Light!
Light, oh glorious light! How amazing, how refreshing, how needful it is to have light. The more birthdays I have, the more I have the need of light to help my eyesight. My first memory of needing help with my eyesight started in an apartment north of Moscow, Russia. At first, I thought it was... Continue Reading →
Hopeless Hopeful
There are times when it seems like the boat of life is so full you are bailing water, then another wave comes; other times the plate does not have room for one more cookie, yet we get one anyway. This is what life felt like as I sat alone at the kitchen table, gazing through... Continue Reading →
The Fear of Not Being Enough
The woman with the issue of blood, knowing in her mind according to the law that she was unclean, sought healing for her infirmity. She visited many doctors, which reminded her again and again of her problem. Perhaps, she thought, even God has placed this curse and has chosen not to heal me. So, she... Continue Reading →
The Positivity of Negativity
Empty, hungry, void, longing, lonely, sad, broken, hopeless, are all words that describe a need—the need to be filled, full, happy, joyful, hopeful, whole, and satisfied. God created us for a level of comfort—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When these levels are not met, the result is a need. God intends these feelings to let us... Continue Reading →
The Gift of Peace
It was not with pretty ribbons or covered in beautiful wrapping. No wreaths or garlands or beams with holly entwined, no drummer boys, and likely no angry innkeeper. No reindeer and sleighs, or cedar boughs, and no bells to herald his arrival. But there was Joseph and Mary, and a baby in a manger. There... Continue Reading →
Heart Shades
Throw open the shades of your heart and let the sunshine of God's love shine in; you will not regret it. Inside, it is cold and dark without His love. I sleepily rose from my chair and opened the window shades. The sun was still below the horizon, but the light was chasing the shadows... Continue Reading →
He Knows My Name
He knows my name! I knelt to pray, and quietly as soft snow, these words slipped into my mind and filled me with wonder. I continued kneeling there in silence and reverent awe. To think that He, Jesus, the mighty One, and His Father, God Himself, know my name brings quietness. Is there anything more... Continue Reading →
The Gift
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.... Continue Reading →
Peace
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 KJV True perfect lasting peace; what longing of the spirit, and treasure of the soul. To be the most desired, the most... Continue Reading →
Clay and the Potter
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (2) Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. (3) Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. (4) And the vessel that he made of... Continue Reading →
Inner Sanctuary or the Castle Tower
I have a desire this morning to rest in God's sanctuary of peace; deep inside his love and acceptance, where I am free from anxieties, in quiet meditation, where fear and worry are not welcome, where his peace and love reign supreme. This is a place where my Lord and I commune, I feel his... Continue Reading →
Adversity
Adversity Adversity is the schoolmaster of life. What we do with it will determine the final outcome. It can make us or break us, or it can mold and strengthen us; it all depends on our reaction to it. If we turn inside and begin to feel sorry for ourselves and helpless, the outcome will... Continue Reading →
Capturing or Living the Moment
I have been reflecting back on the trip we just took across parts of Poland and Ukraine. At times, it would have been nice to capture the moments to show everyone where we were, what we saw, and what we were experiencing. We could have shown our families back at home that we were safe,... Continue Reading →
The Flight
The little plane bucked and bounced as it scrambled its way upward to a place above the clouds. After being on a large plane across the ocean, this one felt like a little boat on a big sea. The way the pilot handled the plane, it reminded me of a kid doing stunts, or riding... Continue Reading →
Letting Go
Why is letting go, and letting God have control, so difficult a thing to do? Letting go of personal rights, attitudes, and surrendering of the will, are the greatest struggles the Christian will face. At times surrendering can seem impossible, but we will find the reward far outweighs the sacrifice. Does letting go mean I... Continue Reading →
I Tripped, I Fell
I ran, I tripped, I fell, scuffing both of my hands on the rough concrete. I should have been more careful. In my hurry I did not navigate the hole in the grass where I stepped. As I write this, both hands smart a little. I quickly jumped up and quickly examined my self for... Continue Reading →
Ye Can Do Nothing
Can our prayers become too generic? It is easy to just blanket cover things went we are praying; asking the Lord to help us serve him better, that he will bless the missionaries and the leaders of our nations and such the like. Perhaps they even grow a little lifeless and boring, and we drift... Continue Reading →
Fragrance of God
Have you ever wondered how God can be everywhere all the time? Sometimes I think about how God reaches out to men and women, boys, and girls, all over the world at the same time, calling, comforting, and saving them, and my mind almost stops; I cannot comprehend it. He is one being, yet his... Continue Reading →
God’s Working
I suppose many of us have tried to understand the plan God has for us. Perhaps it is a relocation, or whether we should embark on a financial adventure, go to the mission, or a host of other things. Maybe it is the smaller everyday things that we face: like strength to train our children,... Continue Reading →
Fear
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1John 4:18 KJV The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25 KJV The cold talons of fear silently... Continue Reading →
Riches of Christ
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)… Revelation 2:9 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ: Ephesians 3:8 Rich, rich in the kingdom of God... * The richest people may... Continue Reading →
Heart Condition
A Sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and some fell upon the rocks; and some fell among thorns; and others fell on good ground. Luke 8:5-15. It does not take a lot of wisdom to know that there was only one condition in the above... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Anchor Points
The soft rise and fall of the swells cause the ropes which hold the ship to protest and groan. Time and again it rises, the rope stretches almost to the breaking point it seems, as the anchor firmly pulls the ship back against the pier. As the swell subsides, the rope becomes relaxed waiting for... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on Thanksgiving
I woke this morning with the thought that thankfulness is a byproduct, not something we put on like a coat. Likewise, counting our blessings cannot be done without looking at what we could have suffered. We cannot be thankful for a good crop without knowing that we could have had a crop failure. We cannot... Continue Reading →
Cry
Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! Job 23:3 KJV To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?... Continue Reading →
What is Man?
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalms 8:3-4 What a mighty God we serve. My heart is overwhelmed when I consider the greatness of... Continue Reading →
Not Everyone is a Hero
Not every warrior becomes a decorated hero. Not every heroic act in a battle receives recognition. It may be that the most unselfish, daring acts of courage are unknown to anyone other than the one who did it and the recipient. For him or her, it may not have been considered an act of courage,... Continue Reading →
Lessons From a Country Farm Girl – Tractor Driving
This little country girl loves to drive the tractor, any chance she gets. She’s big enough to work the clutch and brake pedals of the old tractor, while I am nearby if she needs help. This tractor is not a modern one with the latest bells and whistles. No, it's a gear-grinding model that was... Continue Reading →
Perceptions – Understanding
Are you who I think you are, or who you want me to think you are? Am I who you think I am, or am I who I present myself to be? If we met face to face, would we know each other? Would you be able to predict what sort of person I am... Continue Reading →
Kingdom of Peace
It was not God’s original plan for people to fight one another and have war. In the beginning He placed them in the beautiful garden where all was peaceful, and they lived in sweet communion with God. However it was not long until the tempter slipped in and presented the choice which caused man to... Continue Reading →
The Cellar
"Nothing has changed," I tell myself. “Things are the same as they were before.” This is the line I preach over and over to myself, hoping to convince my mind to believe it. The inner conflict feels like a summer thunderstorm overhead; rolling and sweeping across the sky while the wind of the gathering storm... Continue Reading →
Where Will I Dock My Boat Tonight?
Where will I dock my boat tonight, trouble all around; been tossed about with many thoughts, and almost going down. The tossing waves upon my soul, threaten my weary mind; I wonder where I'll find relief before I’m out of time. While the billows round me roll, my vessel tossed about; I need to find... Continue Reading →
Corridors
Today we stand in a long corridor, with lots of doors. Some are closed, some swing idly on their hinges while others stand slightly ajar. Most doors are nondescript with little marking. Some of the doorknobs show evidence of daily use, while others appear tarnished and old; not having been used for a long time.... Continue Reading →
Chaos – Security
Today the world is in a fit of chaos. Political struggles for power, threats of war and violence, threats of nuclear warfare, and nations and people within nations fighting for what they feel is rightfully theirs. Through social media and news channels these fears and unrests are brought to our doorsteps, homes, and pockets. Information... Continue Reading →
The Evolution of Thought
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. Proverbs 23:7 KJV Who knows where the intersection of the power of our own thoughts, and where the influence and power of Satan converge? All of us have many thoughts which... Continue Reading →
I Created You
I created you the way you are for my purpose; you are my creation. Please do not be frustrated my child. I did not intend for life to be easy. Rewarding? Yes, it can be, but not easy. I uniquely create all my children just the way I want them, which shows you how much... Continue Reading →
Brokenness
This article came up which I wrote a year ago on my journal app. With a little editing I decided to share it. I have written a couple other pieces using the same theme, so hope the readers can bear with it. The Lord impressed this inspiration on me during a trip to the Smokey... Continue Reading →
Things I Have Learned in Dark and Hard Times.
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.Isaiah 45:3 KJV None of us enjoy suffering and adversity. We would take a bypass around that part of life if we... Continue Reading →
Healing Without Stigma
Here is an article my wife wrote. She said I could share with you all. Is your heart crying today? There is a remedy. There is a healing in your journey toward absolute joy despite your circumstances. No matter the grief, the turmoil, the anxiety, the abuse, the emotional and mental stress you are under,... Continue Reading →
God’s Power – Man’s Weakness
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Psalms 37:35 KJV The past number of my writings have been centered on the emotional side of life. I would like us now to remove the focus from ourselves and our problems and turn it away and upwards to... Continue Reading →
Humility, Faith and Healing
Thoughts on need for humility and faith in emotional healing. While it is true that it takes courage and stamina to heal emotionally; it is also important to humbly let things go. At times we may hold on in dogged perseverance when we would serve ourselves better by letting go. By humbly accepting our weaknesses... Continue Reading →
Victim or Survivor
Are we victims or survivors? There are too many victims and not enough survivors in the day we live. Letting go of the past is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do. Hurtful and painful memories can make lifelong challenges for us. However, we do not need to be victims of the past,... Continue Reading →
Heaven
"Which planet is heaven on?" The question from my nine-year-old caught me a little off guard. I had never thought of heaven as being on a planet. "Heaven is not on a planet," I explained. "We can't see it. Remember the vision grandpa had before he died where he met grandma?" I asked. "It's kinda... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on Peace
Sweet peace, the gift of God's love! P. P. Bilhorn The gift of peace is more than the absence of strife. True peace, is a gift the Father gives to those who have made peace with Him, through repentance of sin, humility, surrender, and sacrifice. In turn He gives peace through the Holy Spirit. A... Continue Reading →
