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Forged in the Fires of the Ordinary

“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.” ~C.S. Lewis Shepherding was not a glamorous role in the ancient world, but it was a necessary one. Long hours spent alone in harsh conditions provided a tremendous amount of time…

Hating Religion and Loving Jesus

“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit,…

A Child’s Heart

A Child’s Heart “Old age is the most precious time of life, the one nearest eternity. There are two ways of growing old. There are old people who are anxious and bitter, living in the past and illusion, who criticize everything that goes on around them. Young people are repulsed by them; they are…

Everyday Deeds

“I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” ~The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey As I watched the scenario in front of me begin to unfold, I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not the fast-food restaurants of modern America…

The Life Lessons of Jesus

I have always had a fascination with history. Though there are many who would agree with me, we would perhaps be in the minority. Personally, I believe that we have achieved this minority status because history can so often be tragically reduced to nothing more than a list of dates, names, and events forever plaguing…

Thanks

I just want to offer a brief word of thanks to everyone that has read, liked, and shared my blog posts over the past few months. Because you have shared it with your friends, this one simple blog was read by people in Hungary, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Portugal, China, India, Ecuador, France, South Africa, The…

When Goodness Happened

“More important than our experience of Christ, is the Christ of our experience.” ~ James B. Torrance Recently, my youngest daughter was tasked with a project that spanned two of her middle-school classes. The project focused on creating a PowerPoint presentation (one class) that told the story of the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany during…

Setting Boundaries

“Dad?” “Yes, Megan?” It was raining outside, and we were doing our best to hit as many puddles as possible on the way to school. “Pastors must not have taste buds.” “That was random. Any chance that you are going to fill me in as to why you’ve decided this?” “Because every time we have…

Pacing

I tend to pace when I think. I’m not really sure when this habit took root, or what it’s cause was., Nonetheless, it has held true for as long as I can remember. One afternoon, I found myself pacing in the front yard, talking a mile-a-minute to my poor father who struggled to keep up…

life together

“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession…

falling leaves

“Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5 I have always loved autumn. Though many people seem to look forward to the warmth of spring and summer, there is just something refreshing about this transitional season that rejuvenates my soul. I love the crisp feeling of the first trace of brisk autumn air, and…

reason to hope

“Lose your hope, lose your life.” Dr. Viktor Frankl Dr. Viktor Frankl was a survivor of the holocaust in Nazi Germany. Years later, while writing a book about the individual search for meaning in life, Dr. Frankl shared a story about the day that he first arrived in the concentration camp. After finding a place in the…