I am amazed at how much effort we extend to try and pacify others whom we have wronged rather than just deal with the issue itself. There is something powerful inside each of us -- connected to our sin nature and pride -- that goes against wanting to just...
In his book The Grace Way, Pastor Cal Bodeutsch speaks of humility as the key to spiritual growth. His point is well put when he states, “The same pride which keeps people from receiving God’s gift of eternal life also keeps believers from receiving the rest of...
I have always loved gardening and landscaping. I had large gardens while in Africa, growing everything from strawberries and pineapples to radishes and bananas. Now that spring has officially “sprung” in Michigan, I can’t wait for the grass to grow and plants to...
One ship goes east, another west, By the self-same winds that blow; ’Tis the set of the sail and not the gale That determines the way they go. Like the winds of the sea are the ways of time, As we voyage along through life; ’Tis the set of the soul that determines...
Have you ever poured out your heart to the Lord because of your desperation? I certainly have. Many times as a missionary in Africa I cried out to the Lord and unashamedly bared my soul to God. These were often desperate times -- of family illness, danger, or even...
We can recall countless songs from almost every genre of music that speak of getting, waiting for, or writing a letter. Normally the letter has to do with missing a sweetheart who is far away, or an estranged family member who writes of their renewed love and...
I used to live in Southern California and thoroughly enjoyed body surfing. I remember begging our mom to take us (or allow us to go) to Newport Beach to spend the day during the summer. It was always crowded and most kids packed the beach to just ‘lay out’ or...
The questions are different, but the answer to each one of these questions is the same. What will guard us against foolish extremes? What characterizes those who are habitually successful in sports or sales or some skill? What single quality in a business builds...
So many times verses are quoted to describe the reason we cannot understand what God is doing and to validate the saying that “God works in strange and mysterious ways.” While this may be entirely true, that when our educated minds are held up to the Infinite,...
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