Here is a quote from my grandsons' The Jesus Storybook Bible we gave them for Christmas. "This is how God will rescue the whole world [Jesus says]. My life will break and God's broken world will mend. My heart will tear apart—and your hearts will heal … I won't be with you long. You are…Read more Friending God
Friendship
Friendship
Charles Spurgeon quoted Cicero, “Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.” Friends are a necessary gift and blessing to all us. Therefore it becomes important for us to understand the power of friendship. It begins with choice. Friends choose one another. Siblings don't choose one…Read more Friendship
Synopsis 2-25-17
After putting it off for too long, I submitted to outpatient surgery to remove the excess skin obscuring my eyesight. Procrastinating was easy because other than looking droopy eyed it wasn't stopping me from studying until lately. A field vision test persuaded me it was the correct decision. Well, the surgery is over, and my family…Read more Synopsis 2-25-17
Watching A Dream Flourish
Sunday Morning at Woodland while worshipping with our congregation a deep joy flowed through me. Eric, one of our young men home for the Thanksgiving weekend, led us in worship. Behind him was another student, Noah, home from Valley Forge, was playing guitar. Eric's parents were singing and Noah's Dad was playing bass. It was…Read more Watching A Dream Flourish
Two Students and a Book I’m Reading
Two of our students stopped to visit with me in my study at Woodland, last week. Listening to them was deeply gratifying (one is a graduating high school and the other just completed their first year of college). Their life plans center around their desire to love God with all of their hearts. I've watched them grow up for…Read more Two Students and a Book I’m Reading
Advent Fasting Reveals Emotional Hunger
"Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we…Read more Advent Fasting Reveals Emotional Hunger
People bringing Hope in Detroit
I've been in Detroit quite a bit the last couple of weeks and I've witnessed something encouraging, "People bringing Hope." In some ways the city is making a comeback. Small business are opening, restaurants and independent coffee shops staffed by energetic, idealistic and hard working young men and women serve the business owners and their…Read more People bringing Hope in Detroit
From Wrath to Restoration
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." Matthew 5:4, Message Grief easily morphs into fear, when you have lost the dearest thing in the world to yourself. Suddenly your tears, angst and pain explode in your…Read more From Wrath to Restoration
Brian and Faith
Yesterday Becky and I ate lunch with good friends who moved to New Mexico and came back for a visit. Brian and Faith were part of our church family and served as one of our small group leaders at Woodland. We talked and laughed like we hadn't been away from one another. So natural…Read more Brian and Faith
Memorial to Peggy
Yesterday one of my elderly friends died peacefully during her afternoon nap. Her godly husband was napping in a chair next to her. When he awoke she was as the apostle Paul said, "absent from the body but present with the Lord." Our last conversation together was during a painful period of her life. We…Read more Memorial to Peggy
Coram Deo 