It seems to me that during Christmas time each year, whether we are little children or grown adults, the “hope” card always seems to come out to be played in our conversations or at least in our minds. I can hear Jack say, “I’m hoping to get that new train set.” Molly says, “I’m hoping …

Growing up in the South, my Mom always dreaded when Springtime came along, because it meant we would be switching to Daylight Savings Time, or as she always called it “fast time”. As such, she also always looked forward to Fall, when once again the clocks were turned back to her favorite time, “slow time”. …

Being Joyfully Content “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Philippians 4. (NIV) “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I am eternally thankful …

SMOLDERING SPIRIT OF FAITH The Bonfire A few weeks ago my wife and I were visiting our good friends in southern Mississippi for a long weekend. Our friends have a beautiful farm and homestead surrounded by acres of hardwoods, pines, and bushes. Over the summer months they had collected a pile of dead hardwood trees, …

Defining Politics In the course of human events, without question, politics has played a powerful role in shaping the world in which we live. From ancient times all the way to today, where more than two people are gathered, politics has a played role in their lives. Choosing a side; right vs. wrong, good vs. …

Defiance or Faith? How do you react to a storm, with defiance or faith? Some people have called this the year of the “perfect storm”. What does that mean anyway? I found in my research that the term was coined several years ago to help explain weather phenomena for “how a combination of circumstances or …

Achieving Perfect Vision Last week I had my annual eye exam and was pleasantly thrilled when the optometrist relayed that I have 20/20 vision. No corrective lenses (glasses) needed; not even reading glasses. In layman’s terms, it means that I have “perfect” vision. I can see everything, far away, or up close, very clearly. I …

As I was looking out on the lake this morning, the complete stillness of the water was dramatically interrupted with a fish leaping out of the water. Probably trying to snatch a bug for breakfast. Not my kind of breakfast, but that’s another story. What intrigued me most was the line of concentric circles emanating …

A Lost Valuable Have you ever lost something valuable? Most of us have one time or another misplaced a valuable item or lost an article and you just couldn’t find it. We search all around the house or vehicle, between the couch cushions, in the far reaches of the clothes closet, all to no avail. …

Who Are the Weary? Are you one of the weary people in the world? Lord knows that most of us would say we belong in this group after the last several months of this COVID-19 crisis. But we are not just “weary”. We’re exhausted, frustrated, confused, distraught, disappointed, fearful, angry, and in some cases, even …