Month: June 2007

A few weeks ago, the night light in our bathroom needed a new bulb. When I went to buy one, there were several kinds of night lights to choose from. In the end, I decided on one that required no … Read more

I recently sat down to dinner with a good friend. My friend grew up in Ireland, a country with a very strong sense of national identity. Irish people know what it means to be Irish. My friend understands what people … Read more

Pruning has been a hard lesson for me to learn. I get so excited over doing things for Christ that I spread my fruits too thin, thereby producing poor quality fruit. It is so hard to say "No" when the … Read more

During ginning season, one-eyed Deacon hauled cotton seed to the oil mill. Between trips, he helped me with my after-school and weekend chore — hammering together metal ties and buckles used to bind bales of cotton. I liked the old … Read more

Here in England, we have had a bicentenary anniversary commemoration of the abolition of the slave trade on the 25th March 1807. Despite the hard work by William Wilberforce, I cannot but have mixed feelings concerning the bicentenary. For how … Read more

My two grandchildren are very competitive. The main phrase in their vocabulary is "It's not fair", referring to what one thinks the other is receiving that he's not getting. This is characteristic not only of little brothers and sisters, but … Read more

I know a few families that have horses. Often they are in a pasture very close to the house. I have seen these people, when they get home, run out to rub their horse. Sometimes they take an apple or … Read more

Each spring, the gym where I exercise sponsors a fitness challenge called "The Ironman". It is open to all adult members regardless of age or gender. With the encouragement of several of my instructors (though I am a senior citizen), … Read more

I watched the little toddler as he fell over a toy in his path, making a bruise on his leg. For a few moments, his cries touched everyone in the room. Through his tears, he spotted his mother and ran … Read more

When I read this verse recently, it reminded me of the beginning of an old nursery rhyme that always puzzled me. Perhaps you remember it as well: How many miles to Babylon? Three score miles and ten. Can you get … Read more