I found some new Algarve trails listed on the internet. Two were just past the nearby city of Loule, so I decided to drive to the town of Amendoiera (Almond Trees?). This in itself is an adventure, because I had to drive out M523. Nowhere is there a road posted M523. Eventually, I found myself... Continue Reading →
I am one of those rare people who became a Christian just by reading the Bible. When I first became a Christian, there was no Christians around me to help me understand what was happening to me. I set off hitchhiking across country. Many people that I met on that trip tried to convince me... Continue Reading →
One sharp man wondered about my study of Romans, since it contradicts the Old Testament. This question of contradiction is truly a key to understanding this chapter. In the past, being a modern Christian, I have wondered, “Why does Paul insert this unnecessary chapter?” When Paul wrote, most Christians were Jews, and the Jews, Christian... Continue Reading →
Romans 2 leaves off seeming to condemn the Jews the most. Paul starts there, and starts the questions that he’ll continues in the next few chapters. He quickly, though, goes to the conclusion that he has been headed toward in chapters 1 & 2. Since this conclusion, this peak, only leads to despair, he... Continue Reading →
When we started hiking along the seashore in Portimao, Portugal, the first thing I saw was rocks, almost islands, offshore of the rocky points. Sometimes, at low tide, you can walk on the sand out to some of the islands, but other times, it is surrounded by the gnashing sea. It is amazing. If... Continue Reading →
We took our faithful, neglected, Ping Pong table and painted the white lines in phosphorescent paint. Then we did the same for the net, the balls, and the paddles. Now we were ready for Halloween. Every Halloween, the staid Doctors and their proper wives came to our house for our Halloween party. We tried to... Continue Reading →
Some years ago, I went backpacking with friends, one Jewish and the other Agnostic. One day, high in the Canadian Rockies, we decided to visit a glacier. The trail only took us part way. The rest of the way, we meandered cross country. Part way there, we spied a moose and approached as close as... Continue Reading →
Traveling is a great adventure, but like all adventures, the stress levels increase. Some people forget that not only do bad things increase stress, but so do good things. If enough good things occur, then some small bad thing, that you normally sail right through, can leave you foundering. Enough stress can go beyond the... Continue Reading →
Troubles are equal opportunities events, having no regard for social class status, race or ethnicity, gender, or occupation. Everyone at some time or another will suffer a trial or tribulation that seems too overwhelming to survive. One trouble that often appears too dark and deep to weather is an attempt to defame our character by... Continue Reading →
I had a very mean father. Every time I wanted to do something fun, he said, “you have to finish your chores first.” He didn’t skimp on what we needed, though. Meals were always there, as was clothes and housing. He told me, “don’t worry about these things, You just need to worry about... Continue Reading →
Help from Heaven 