“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1 NLT). When I first started dating Robin, I had to date the
Year: 2009
I wanted a Johnny West for Christmas
“For God so loved the world that he gave…” (John 3:16). In 1966 I wanted a “Johnny West” for Christmas. But ’66 was a tough year. My father died of cancer in November of that year at the age of 39. I was eight. My mother was so exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed after a year of
Do the opposite
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:” (Isaiah 9:6 KJV). I started watching the sitcom “Seinfeld” only after it went into syndication. I guess the daily dose of reruns finally got me interested. If you know anything about the show, you know that the character played by Jason Alexander,
Say “Humbug!” to spending that doesn’t satisfy
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare” (Isaiah 55:2 NIV). We’re dialing back the spending on Christmas at my house again this year. I’ve asked our family to
Where will you spend your worship?
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh” (Matthew 2:11 NIV). The word “worship” comes from the Old English, “weorthscipe,” literally meaning to “ascribe worth.”
A place called Thanksgiving
“These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng” (Psalm 42:4 NIV). For most of my life Thanksgiving Day has been a place to go. Until I was a married man we drove into the
Gentle Lady Sheeba of Moneta
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5 NIV). The year our eldest turned three years old we decided the boy needed a dog. We had read that golden retrievers were good with kids, so we checked the classifieds and found that a breeder in Roanoke, Virginia was selling puppies.
Of whirlygigs and faithfulness
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23 NIV) This past weekend was our second time participating in the Wilson Whirlygig Festival. I’m so proud of our faithful WCC servants who worked
You be good while I’m gone
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NIV). “But the fruit of the Spirit is … goodness…” (Galatians 5:22). “You be good while I’m gone.” My Dad would say
Of kid’s clothes and kindness
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NIV). Have you noticed how course and sarcastic our culture has become? We’re convinced that we have to be thick-skinned and savvy to survive these days. Or do we? Is it possible that there is a different