I once heard of a little boy who refused to say his evening prayers one night — not out of defiance, but because he couldn't think of anything that he wanted. He didn't see much point in praying when there wasn't anything to ask for. … Read more
Author Archive
Trusting God With An Unfinished Story
A good friend of mine — a published author of both fiction and non-fiction — is writing a new suspense novel, and she sent me her manuscript. I'm caught up in the story. Full of tension and expectation, the book has me on the edge of my … Read more
The Words That Saved A Life
I once heard Ron Mehl use as a sermon illustration a story told by Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, about a single missionary who served the Lord in China for many years. In 1948, all missionaries were expelled from the country … Read more
Of Rocket Stoves And Asking Why
I am now the proud owner of a rocket stove: a high-efficiency, wood-burning, outdoor cooking stove designed to be used for camping or emergencies. I never really wanted a rocket stove. In fact, I had never even heard of one. The day … Read more
Lessons From A One-Legged Sandpiper
Recently, while sitting by the ocean in northwest Florida, I watched as three sandpipers scurried by. There was something special about one of them. He had one leg and one little stump.
One leg or two, he could still soar. But to walk … Read more
Step In And Stay
Think with me what it's like to ride with someone who knows all the back roads — the "easy" roads, the "secret" way to get places. Yet we also know the truth — they're not really "secret". They're just not … Read more
Grand Theft
Sitting in a booth in a Shari's Restaurant the other day with a friend, I looked outside as someone's car alarm was blaring incessantly. I wondered what was taking the guy in the back seat so long to turn it … Read more
Why Are We Celebrating Christmas?
We've approached a time of bustle — shopping, baking, holiday greetings, and home for Christmas. Why? Why are we celebrating Christmas? How would the average person answer that question? Tradition? Family? Love for hearth and home? Let's go back to … Read more
What If …?
Of all the questions we ask in life, the "what if?" questions seem to be the most popular. What if this happens? What if that doesn't happen? What if so-and-so doesn't come through on his promise? What if she were … Read more
One Hundred Percent
Sometimes, life's most valuable lessons begin with failure. Recently, I embarked on one of these lessons by allowing thoughtless words to fly unchecked. Too late to retrieve them, I found myself in an acute state of unrest and basic … Read more
Set In Stone
When asked about your future plans, have you ever used this reply: "Well, nothing's set in stone"? This is the equivalent of saying, "Not yet. But I have some ideas." Or "I've started to make arrangements, but there's still a lot to do." … Read more
Distracted By Stillness
With summer here, the stormy winter and chilly evenings of past months have quickly been forgotten. One morning, however, my heart felt like a lingering storm. Numerous needs — my own and others' — were crashing in on me, like an … Read more
Father, Forgive Them
I often wonder what it was like to cross through the Red Sea on dry ground, to watch Jericho's walls collapse, or to walk with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. But imagine being present at that most astonishing event: the scourging and … Read more
A Message And A Promise
Missing church on Sunday leaves a hole in my week that is difficult to patch up. A chronic illness makes this absence unavoidable at times. But I can always count on this loving message and sincere promise when it occurs: "Tell Bethany … Read more
We Will Not Fear
Living near one of the most majestic mountains of the Cascade range, I am constantly reminded of the might and presence of our Creator God. Rounding a corner as I drove to work one day, I was met by another breathtaking view of Mount … Read more
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