One more miracle Lord is what I need. I cannot walk without you—the pitfalls and temptations are too great. The darkness looms around threatening to swallow me up. I know not the way to go—you are my only light. Your Word gives me courage in the night watches when the darkness of the evil one... 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 →
It Won’t Matter
When I stand at the gate of heaven, it won't matter anymore what people thought of me. It won't matter, all the petty things that caused me to struggle, they will all seem so small and earthly. It won't matter if I was misunderstood. It won't matter if I was not the most popular person... 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 →
Unworthy I Am
You, Oh God, are beyond my imagination. When I consider your greatness, your holiness, your perfections, and yet here I am. I am none of those attributes. Yet despite your majesty and all-seeing eye, you can look upon my efforts, which are not great, at serving you and can approve of me. It is a... Continue Reading →
Here, Kitty Kitty
So here is another cat story for you. I could not decide what to call it; it seems like I could have come up with something a bit more appropriate, but in the end the title is the title and not the story. If you remember back to the post about Kits, Cats, Little Girls... 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 →
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 →
My Cabin of Peace
"I awoke, and behold it was a dream." John Bunyan Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalms 51:6 Truth in the deepest part of my heart; peace, security, hope, comfort, and stillness. Outside the storm rages, the wind blows, the freezing... 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 →
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 →
Veneer
Chances are that while reading this, you can see a piece of furniture in your house that is covered with a veneer. Veneer is used to make a beautiful, flawless finish on an imperfect core product. For many years plywood manufacturers have employed the use of it. It consists of a very thin layer of... Continue Reading →
Grace
Grace We talk about being the recipients of the Grace of God, so what is this Grace we are talking about? God's Riches At Christ's Expense Today is the day of Grace, which means that we are now living in a time where the extension of God’s goodness is still available to anyone who reaches... 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 →
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 →
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 →
Morning Meditation & Prayer
Good morning, Lord. I wonder how you are this morning. I know you never sleep; your eyes continually watch the world to observe your creation. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be you, watching the people you have created. So much fighting, wars, and unrest; surely your heart must almost be torn... 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Requisite For Answered Prayer
As I was praying the other night, I began to think about all the prayers God has answered for me. I am very thankful. It also is amazing how prayer changes things. Then the thought came to me, “What if we could figure out a formula to get our prayers answered?” I know that’s not... Continue Reading →
Default Settings
Most electronic devices have what they call “default settings.” This is set in the factory and should there be a malfunction in their internal software, you have the option of resetting them, which will in many cases fix most of the problems. Humans do not have a simple reset capability, but they do have default... Continue Reading →
The Broken Vessel
(An Allegory) The broken vessel lay at the Master’s feet, dirty, discarded by life. Too far gone, too many years it had been used and misused, and now lay alone and broken. The Master bent, concern on His face, to see how this beautiful vessel had become so broken. He noticed the chips and cracks,... Continue Reading →
Emotional Scars
The song says, “The scars remain to remind me.”* As a boy it seemed I was prone to all manner of cuts and scrapes. From my pocket knives, to other cuts and gashes that a boy collects growing up on a farm. Today, I see them, now faded with a few years of wear, and... Continue Reading →
The Altar of Unpolluted Stones
In the Old Testament, they built altars to burn sacrifices on to worship God. Today, Christians do not offer literal sacrifices, but we offer the sacrifice of our hearts and lives in a spiritual sense to God. There are parallels from the Old Testament, which we can apply to our hearts today. Many of the... Continue Reading →
Sure Foundation
2 Timothy 2:19 KJV Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psa 11:3 KJV The Bible often uses the example of a... Continue Reading →
A Drop of Faith, a Bucket of Courage.
How many times like me, have you asked the Lord to give you more faith? We seem to think that faith is the main ingredient of power. With more faith, we tend to think it should be easier to believe, easier to overcome temptations, easier to make big decisions in life, as well as a... Continue Reading →
Happy 2023
We pause upon the threshold of this New Year, contemplating what it will hold. It stretches out before us as an open road, a blank sheet of paper, a story untold. We cannot stay here, soon we will be traveling along its corridors experiencing the newness of each passing moment, each new day. Not that... Continue Reading →
Let It Go
When you are tempted to get hurt and offended over what someone says, Let it go. When you feel like life has given you more than you can bear, Let it go. When you feel like your children are not accepted of others, Let it go. When you feel like your life does not measure... Continue Reading →
The Small Bottle
Here is another one of my young childhood stories that has made an impression on me. Without a little divine intervention, things could have turned out quite differently for this little boy. “What have you done with this?” my dad demanded. The look of concern was clearly visible on his face. He had been cleaning... Continue Reading →
Boys, Rope, Tractors
As an adult who grew up on a farm, it is not difficult to understand why farming has such a high accident rate. The experience I relate here, proves to me, thirty some years later the providence of God. As boys, my brother and I would build ramps for our bikes and ramp them. It... Continue Reading →
The Flight
Everyone has incidents in life that leave lasting impressions; as we reflect, we know that it was obviously the hand of God who protected us from inevitable harm or death. We do things every day that with just one mishap could mean injury or the end of our life. Every time we drive on the... Continue Reading →
Rest & Peace
The day wains and the evening shadows lengthen, the day’s work and play are done. Father puts his tools away and mother calls the children in from their play. The setting sun paints the sky with red, blue, and violet, while the shadows in the forest sink to deeper shades of inky darkness. The breeze... Continue Reading →
The Narrow Way
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14 How narrow is... Continue Reading →
At Evening Time, it Shall be Light
We live in unprecedented times, times like never before. Today we live with war, the threat of nuclear war, food shortages and hunger, as well as escalating fuel prices and living expenses. Political unrest fills the news headlines, while crime and immorality have become common. Depression, mental illness, and suicide are common, even in children.... Continue Reading →
Chasing Shadows
Lessons from a farm dog. We have heard the term, “life happens.” Unfortunately, there no exceptions to the rule, sooner or later it happens to all of us. So if you are living and breathing, here’s a lesson from a farm dog. Earlier this year I had the misfortune of accidentally running over our aging,... Continue Reading →
Chosen
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16 Chosen, chosen by Him, how amazing is that. It should... Continue Reading →
Lord I’ve Been Thinking…
You know Lord, I was thinking about you this morning, as well as about us as your human creation. When you created man, what care and thought you put into him. He was to be the crowning touch of your creation. Not only that, but you gave him the part of you, above all other... Continue Reading →
Biblical Perspective
Our Sunday school lesson for tomorrow is about the patriarch Abraham who is known as the father of faith. A quote from the introduction of the lesson reads: " We love to read about Abraham and his faith; it inspires, challenges, and beckons us to follow his example deeper into the will of God." I... Continue Reading →
God Is Good
Just a quick thought for the day, one that I know in my heart, and have to remind myself. In mornings when I wake up and the outlook seems gray, I will strive to remember, even when the world seems otherwise, and yes, you may need to remind me as well, "God is good!" Yes,... Continue Reading →