Nearly 40 years ago, I wrote a monthly devotional for the small church where I preached my first sermon, and I loved the study and hard work and prayer that helped me be successful at it. So, here is the first of a new series. Psalm 44:3 It was not by their sword that they won... Continue Reading →
Eureka! Three Things Challenge
Malcolm looked at the sands of the Namibian desert down below them, wondering if he would ever find the place recommended by his friends. They had told him that he had to see the place where Neptune, meaning the mighty Atlantic Ocean, and the Namibian desert met. But, all he saw through the helicopter window... Continue Reading →
Some Debts Cannot Be Repaid
I was looking at a billboard of the average credit score in our area, and it was about 661 points. Your credit score is based on your willingness and/or ability to repay your debts. I thought of how there are some debts that cannot be repaid. These are kindnesses that made a difference at a... Continue Reading →
Victors, not Victims: Psalm Wednesday
So often the problems in our lives lead others to refer to us as victims, which seems to suggest a sense of helplessness and an inability to help oneself. But, many people, including me, have overcome the obstacles in our lives, and we see ourselves as victors and survivors, individuals who, through God's mercy and grace... Continue Reading →
Romans 5: The Mountain: Jesus’ Resurrection is better than His Death. A Study for the Seriously Religious
Now that we have seen that 1) everyone, no matter what he knows, is guilty, and that 2) the justification purchased by Jesus’ death is available to everyone, not just Jews, we are ready for the next great mountaintop. Paul gives us four ways that Jesus life affects us, now that His death cleared the... Continue Reading →
The Appointment
I wrote a blog on the word core. Unfortunately, we had just returned from six weeks in Portugal Saturday night. We had cancelled our internet during our absence. Sunday morning, we made an appointment to get new internet, but it would not be installed until Monday afternoon. Regina bought 24 hours of internet on Sunday. ... Continue Reading →
What do you want to Partake in?
As a young man in college, one time, some friends needed me to babysit their kids. I did it as a favor, but they wanted to pay me. After refusing money, They asked me if I wanted to partake in smoking weed. After some negotiation, I just left with two joints that I didn’t really... Continue Reading →
When God is For Us: Psalm Wednesday
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 →
Ending the Confused Christian Life
Immediately after I became a Christian, I hitchhiked from California to South Dakota but had my plans not work out. I then hitchhiked down to Colorado (adding more wildness to the trip) to look up my new Christian friends, who after their conference ended, took me back to their home town of Moscow (Idaho.) There,... Continue Reading →
From Infancy to Old Age, You are my Helper: Psalm Wednesday
When I look back at my life, I am amazed to still be alive and hopeful that life can be beautiful, no matter the craziness of this life. I think of the reality, for me any way, that from the time before I was even born until the gray that permeates my hair today, God... Continue Reading →