Why does the Christmas story cause such discord? So what a baby was born in a barn, receiving shepherds and gifts from affluent eastern visitors. Jesus grew up in poverty with the stigma of being an illegitimate child of an adulterous woman. His stories were filled with instructions to humbly care for others, forgive, and […]
Three-week-old kid goats, Maggie and Chocolate, butt heads during the day, but as dusk falls, they warm one another. Separation as they play causes one to cry to the other for protection. Watching them reunite makes me smile. Why does behavior that seems intuitive to baby goats not come naturally to humans? How do we
PEACE OR CONSEQUENCES Read More »
The subtle roar of the incomplete nags. The imagined barrier to the next step mocks. Lack of personal ability ridicules because of unfinished business. Concrete footers were poured, promising a structure rooted in the earth with solid standing against mountain winds. The greenhouse has metal straps and 4 by 12 headers for cross-bracing. Why the
UNFINISHED BUSINESS Read More »
My enjoyment of this young woman’s anxiety was a bit overdone, but I couldn’t resist. As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed someone sitting on the mountain bench atop my pasture. For this stranger to get there, she had to climb over a barb wire fence or unchain a gate as she walked past
Healthy Boundaries Read More »
WHY???? Why persist in valuing one people-group over another as if their ideas and beliefs are more valuable? We are all the same blood, created in the image of God, for the same purpose. If you believe that statement, then you should take to heart this – As Joshua approached the city of Jericho, he looked
Infected with Covid-19, nursing her newborn and battling accusing voices in her head, Lilly tearfully sank to her knees. “God, I can’t do this anymore,” she cried. As a child, Lilly knew the goodness and forgiveness of God. She spent her adult life flirting with sexual promiscuity, the occult, and disrespect of caring authority figures.
LIBERATING SURRENDER Read More »
I had the wondrous privilege of watching my grand-daughter’s birth. As her lungs took first breaths and eyes opened to bright light, all present heard her welcome, healthy cry. Minutes later that cry was replaced with peace as she was cradled in her mother’s loving arms. This child brought nothing with her except her precious
ARMOR AND PROTECTION Read More »
My parents would call me on my birthday. The well blended harmony of Dad’s tenor and Mom’s soprano voice communicated their love as they sang Happy Birthday to Bonnie. The call was expected. But the reality of it brought smiles and joy to both giver and receiver. The memory of these birthday calls still gives
THE CALL MEANT FOR EVERYONE Read More »
It was mid morning as Amy looked out her bedroom window at a sight making her heart skip. A young man with hoodie covering his head and face got out of an unfamiliar, window darkened car, parked at the curb in front of her middle class Orlando home. Amy called to her mother-in-law to take
