Just A Little Lump of Clay
The little lump of clay sat patiently awaiting the potter’s attention. As he did so, he began to anticipate what he might become. Perhaps the craftsman would shape him into a large wide pot to store freshly harvested grain that would be ground into flour to feed the family. Perhaps…
Hearing From God
Last month, Nancy and I enjoyed an incredible bucket list trip to Israel to literally walk many of the places where Jesus Himself walked. We entered the Bethlehem cave where very ancient tradition says He was actually born and we visited Capernaum to see the excavations of the very house…
Clearing Our Charges
A few years back, Nancy and I traveled to Germany for a friend’s wedding. While we were there, we also took in a side trip to Switzerland, Austria, and Lichtenstein. It was a wonderful trip that continues to bring smiles every time we remember it. To enable us to get…
Striving For Insignificance
One component that has been added to our turkey, dressing, and gravy Thanksgiving traditions is an NFL football game. After the large noon meal, many gather around their televisions to let their stomachs begin the work of digesting all that their taste buds enjoyed. May the best team win and…
God Is Still At Work!
Five years ago next month, over one hundred concerned citizens met near Woodstock to discuss the challenges of homelessness in our community. God enabled the seeds planted at that initial gathering to quickly sprout and speedily bear good fruit through what now is Family Promise of Shenandoah County. This ministry…
What’s In Your Coffee?
One of the curses we have learned to live with in Virginia is the brown marmorated stink bug. This is the official name of the pest that arrived in the US from Asia some 20 years ago that has now spread throughout much of the nation. Although similar in appearance…
Finding God in the Valley – Episode #1 – Bricks
Church is Good For You!
Now there’s a headline you would expect from a preacher, right? But it’s actually only a slight paraphrase of a recent study by Harvard University, a school not known in recent years for its fondness for faith. Nevertheless, in a study released in this month’s edition of the American Journal…
Allergies, Immunities, and Television
Chances are really good that you have either heard someone sneeze already today or have done so yourself. ‘Tis the season for ragweed and pollen and all manner of allergic reactions. Although I used to suffer miserably, I’m thankful to say that my late summers and early falls are much…
What Has Caused Florence’s Fury?
By the time you read this article, Hurricane Florence will likely have made landfall in the southeastern United States affecting millions of people and, if forecasts prove accurate, causing billions of dollars in property damage. As I write this, I’m praying that God would minimize its impact and shrink its…