I once taught a series of classes for my church called “Living Fully/Dying Well” based on a book by Ruben Job. The main goal of the course was to help people prepare for end-of-life issues. It urges us to ask the question, “Do I have my physical, financial and spiritual affairs in order?” Some of…
A farmer and his brand new bride were riding home from the wedding chapel in a horse-drawn carriage when the old horse stumbled. The farmer said, “That’s once.” A little further along, the poor old horse stumbled again. The farmer said, “That’s twice.” After a little the poor old horse stumbled again. The farmer didn’t…
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…