Gertie the church gossip kept sticking her nose into the other members’ private lives and spreading false rumors. Church members didn’t like it but didn’t know what to do. Gertie made a mistake when she accused George, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his pickup truck parked in front of the…
In the early 1970s I belonged to a discussion group on the campus of the University of Northern IA. One of the topics we discussed was a popular book at the time, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach. It is the story of a sea gull that was rejected by his flock, but he soared…
Prayer Seed: Dear Abba, Thank you that even though we sometimes we let go of Your hand and are out of fellowship with You, You continue to remain faithful to us. Thank you for not letting go of us when we struggle with doubts, become complacent and sin. Thank you for understanding our weaknesses. Thank…
A guy explained that the Internet was down at his apartment, and then added, “I guess my neighbors forgot to pay their bill.” Reader’s Digest, June 2015, p.113 I don’t think that is what the Apostle Paul meant when He said in Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you…
An elementary school teacher tried a little experiment with her students. She asked them to bring one tomato to school for each person who had been mean to them. They were to put the tomatoes in a plastic bag and carry them everywhere for a week. Some children had several tomatoes in their bags and…
Prayer Seed: Dear Abba, Thank you for being my source of hope and being faithful in fulfilling Your promises. Please help me to concentrate on You and Your promises instead of the circumstances. Thank you for allowing me to place all of my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The National Safety Council recently announced that for the first time in history the odds of an American dying from an accidental opioid overdose are higher than dying from a motor vehicle crash––1 in 96 vs. 1 in 103. USA Today, 1/15/19, p.1A This does not even account for all of the people who are…
One Sunday morning Jimmy was wondering why his friend Bobby was not at the game. By the time Bobby arrived, the game was well under way. “Why are you so late?” asked Jimmy. “I couldn’t decide between going to church and going to the game. So I tossed a coin,” said Bobby. “But that shouldn’t…
Prayer Seed: Dear Abba, You are the Creator and You fulfill Your promises. Please help me to be like Abraham and completely trust in You and that You will do what You promised. Please give me the faith to not only believe, but to act on Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer Seed: Dear Abba, Thank you for the gift of the Good News that comes from Jesus. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit which helps to change us, guide us, and renew us. May Your Holy Spirit rain down on us and help us to strive to be like Jesus and practice love…