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

When I buy a program for my computer, the first thing I do is read the instruction manual. The one who wrote the program knows best how it works, because it is his creation. The same is true in discovering the purpose for my life. I need … Read more

My weight struggle is no secret. I am a member of Weight Watchers. I own all their books and gadgets. I even have a workout pal who nudges me into daily exercise. So then, you might well ask, "Brenda, are you thin?" No, I am not thin, but … Read more

I've known, truly known, God's gracious forgiveness all my Christian life. I've experienced beautiful times of repentance and the Lord's merciful lifting of burdens of known sins. I've literally lost count of all the forgiveness I've … Read more

Having been involved with farming in my earlier years, I became acquainted with apple orchards and the maintenance required to take the perfect apple to the marketplace. The farmer knew the care it took to nurture the crop, including careful … Read more

The time came for me to buy a new computer, and I had some decisions to make. Should I continue with a Windows PC, knowing that I would have to obtain some new software, or should I choose something totally … Read more

If we are willing to walk or drive through our towns and cities with open eyes, we are sure to see people who are homeless. How easy it can be for us to pass judgement on other people. I recently … Read more

Part of my seminary training was spent dealing with people who had emotional problems. A group of our senior students were tutored by professional social workers who were attached to a local hospital. The purpose of the tutoring was not … Read more

The picture hangs on my bedroom wall, and its message greets me each morning, but it holds a puzzle: why two crosses? Also, the world behind the crosses is not the earth as we know it today. This framed picture … Read more

Entering a store that carries everything that the handy man or woman would need, I was left alone, looking everywhere for the item I went into the store to get. Finally, I gave up and began to look for a … Read more