Year: 1996

When my nephew underwent major heart surgery at the age of one I found myself wishing that God had made life like a VCR so I could fastforward through the day and see if he survived. If all was well … Read more

"…make my joy complete:" Where did Jesus find true happiness in this life? His disciples saw it in his service and self-sacrifice and so the bible says to us today: "Have this mind in you that was in Christ Jesus" … Read more

Happiness is relational. Jesus takes time in the beatitudes to remind us that the truly happy life, the truly blessed life comes when we find our spirit connection – find it within ourselves find it in relation to the creation … Read more

Dr. Karl Menninger once observed, "Attitudes are more important than facts." And when you are seeking happiness in life this is doubly true. How you perceive life will determine life. How others perceive you will reinforce your happiness or your … Read more

There was a tranquilizer on the market a couple of decades ago that people use to call the "happy pill". Take one of these and forget all your worries and all your cares and simply be happy. The trouble with … Read more

When the waves of grief swell and break upon us like ocean breakers, soaking us with pain, then in that moment, have we felt abandoned and alone? With the Psalmist do we cry, "Do not forsake me, O my God, … Read more

Early in my ministry I was told by an hundred and three year old lady of what it was like, when Custer led his troops into a village populated by women, children and the elderly, to watch as the troops … Read more

We don't know the story of blind old beggarman Bartimaeus because he was healed. Any number of nameless people were healed. No, we know his story because of these few words recorded in scripture: "he followed him on the way." … Read more

A few years ago, I was asked to do an article based on the section in Living Faith on "Mission: The Church Reaches Out", for the Presbyterian Record. The whole series was to be a learning experience for the Church … Read more

A friend has died of cancer and his wife talks of taking her life. A young girl has been sexually molested. Should I forgive her molester? My enemies are in my mind. The enemy is feelings of despair and thoughts … Read more