These days, I find that I am stressed — I'm juggling a bunch of deadlines. While I was praying recently, I began thinking about the distractions and pressures that tend to pull me away from following Jesus. Stress, anxiety, and worry are … Read more
Search Results for: "Matthew 14:"
Always There
When I experience losing someone that I love, or if I'm having a difficult time, my natural response is to retreat and find somewhere quiet where I can reflect on what has happened. During those times, I tend to push people away, just … Read more
A Watch In The Night
This past Christmas, my family gave me a beautiful grandfather clock. It stands tall in the foyer and is the first piece of furniture that guests notice when they enter our home. The hourly chimes are delicate; they gently remind me … Read more
Take Courage
My Yorkshire Terrier, Sienna, who weighs five pounds four ounces, was the most fearful little creature I'd ever met when she first came to live with us as a puppy. No one could get near her, and she shook and trembled in every new … Read more
Focus Stealers
I've been known to miss what I focus on — even when it's a large target. I had always hunted deer with dogs and a shotgun: I would stand on the side of the road or the edge of the woods and wait for the dogs to run the deer to me … and … Read more
When God Says "Come"
He had called me to come before, but never like this. The first time I came was as a fisherman. My brother and I were cleaning our nets when He came strolling along the beach. He invited me to leave my nets and way of life and fish for … Read more
An Art Lesson
When I was growing up in Glasgow, Scotland, my dad frequently used to take me and my siblings to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in the heart of the city. It was always a fascinating place to visit, and because my dad was a great city … Read more
To Quell The Storm
How often we have prayed for something good, like the salvation of a loved one, firmly believing that our prayers would be answered. Have we not been told that "nothing is impossible for God"? (Luke 1:37 CEV) And yet, like Peter, we, … Read more
The Everyday Miracle
I have suffered on and off from depression since I was about ten years of age. My depression is caused from a hereditary dietary problem; the two things go hand in hand. I can be fine for days or weeks or months and then the darkness … Read more
Life's Unstable Moments
I've never liked them and have only ridden a couple, and then, only because someone I loved encouraged me.
With names like Thunder Road, Mindbender, Avalanche Run, and Afterburn, roller coasters frighten me. In fact, almost all rides at … Read more
Blessed Be Your Name
Back in November 2011, on a church weekend away, work was getting me down because proposed changes were a totally preventable calamity. As we were away together, I shared my concerns with a young man. He has a keen mind, … Read more
Reach Up In Trust
Some children are fearless when it comes to trying new challenges. They have the attitude, "I can do it!" We learn fear as we grow and realize that some things are more difficult than others, and we come to understand … Read more
Waters Of Our Lives
I often think of Peter in this situation and wonder whatever possessed him to want to get out of the boat and walk on the water towards Jesus. Peter is one of those guys that we marvel at for his … Read more
Getting Out Of The Boat
After my "conversion/collision" with God in 1988, life did not exactly smooth out, but instead, became more challenging. Doing things His way instead of my own forced me out of the "boat" of my own comfort and onto the treacherous … Read more
Fear Not; Behold My Face
Admittedly, I was afraid that night as I walked down the hospital corridor. I looked up, and directly facing me on the window was Christ's face. Without a shadow of a doubt, I know that He revealed Himself to me … Read more
Good Medicine
Before I came to pastor in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, I had been a part-time chaplain, as well as a full-time parish minister, at a local hospital in Scotland. I used to go around my assigned wards — cardiac, oncology, and … Read more
The Listening Place
Birdwood Nature Center is located north of Tallahassee, Florida, USA, just inside Georgia. It has 565 acres of wildflower meadow, old-field pine, hardwood forest, ponds, and swamps — all home to a myriad of birds and other wildlife. Open year-round, … Read more
Faint-Heart?
Again this year it was my "job" to deliver my young granddaughter to her swimming lessons at the lake. And again it was the most entertaining part of my day! "Fish!!! I'm not getting into the water with no fish!" … Read more
Rain On My Parade
My granddaughter was riding in the parade at the Honey Bee Festival. I had driven 40 miles to see her. On my arrival, the darkening skies forecast a thunderstorm. I made the decision to watch the parade, even as I … Read more
Faith Savings And Deposits
As I read these scriptures the other day, a song that my cousins sang some years ago began to play back through my mind. The words to this song were taken directly from these scriptures and have stayed with me … Read more
Lesson In Faith
While on vacation recently, our family rented a cottage right on a lake. Imagine our surprise and pleasure when, one morning, we saw a mother merganser swimming along, trailed by ten little ones, all swimming in a line. We watched … Read more
Thankfulness
Recently, I spent time in Rio Bravo, Mexico, working in a mercy ministry that builds small homes, casitas, for Mexican families. These homes are very small, only 12 feet by 16 feet. They are well-built with a concrete floor, concrete … Read more