The last few hikes (not to mention a kayak trip) I’ve taken have somehow turned into adventures. Some of it was my own fault; I should have researched the route better. But sometimes we knew what we were getting into…
Piles of Prayers
In my experience of the Christian faith, it’s not uncommon to attend prayer services. Sometimes they’re in person and sometimes they’re online. Sometimes it’s just because I’m driving across the country and I happen to be within an hour or…
Trials don’t have to be Terrible
Last weekend, a couple of family members and I kayaked 19 miles. That’s a long way, but not so bad for a kayak trip when you’re just going downstream. The problem was that about half of the distance was choked…
Nothing Compares to the Promise
Recently, I ran across a new take on an old song. If you attended church in the 1990s, you couldn’t possibly have missed this song; in fact, I’ve let it so often in worship that I’m rather tired of it. …
When Others Receive Your Promise
Recently, I’ve been thinking about Esau, Jacob’s older brother. We all know the story: how Esau was older, yet he sold his birthright to Jacob. How Isaac loved Esau and tried to bless him with his birthright even after it…
Want Some Help with Your Backpack?
I’ve never been backpacking. So when I pack up my backpack, I only have to remember everything I’ll need for the day: food, water, sunscreen, maps, so on and so forth. But if I was to pack for an overnight…
Don’t Give Up!
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9. For some people, it seems we have been pressing on for a very long time. Some parts…
Seeds are not Slow
Seeds are an amazing part of God’s creation. They are formed by a parent plant to carry on the identity, beauty, and/or form of the original plant. Without seeds, the line of plants will die out. So God created a…
Stewarding Power
If you hang out in the circles where people “think green,” you’ll probably hear the phrase, “environmental stewardship.” It refers to careful use of natural resources and the protection of the natural environment. The idea is that we have been…
A Voice Behind You
I recently read the verse Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”” It was a lightbulb moment for me. …
