Author Archive

When You Can't Pray, Give Thanks

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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

Trusting God With An Unfinished Story

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

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

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

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

Friday, October 4, 2013

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

Monday, January 14, 2013

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

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

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

Friday, July 6, 2012

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?

Sunday, December 25, 2011

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 …?

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

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

Open Wide

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Have you ever spent a day watching the activity of a mother bird following the arrival of her latest brood? She has one purpose only: to bring good things to the open mouths of her hungry children. Unable to care … Read more

One Hundred Percent

Monday, October 19, 2009

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

Friday, September 25, 2009

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

Friday, July 31, 2009

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

Friday, April 10, 2009

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

Friday, April 3, 2009

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

Sunday, January 25, 2009

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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