July 14, 2022 - Take a leafy branch from a tree. Lay it carefully aside and watch. Slowly the color fades, the leaves go limp, they curl up and it is dead.

Take a fish out of the lake. Lay it carefully on the sand and watch. Frantically it twists and struggles and gradually weakens, moving its gills slower, then quivers and it is dead.

July 1, 2022 - There is a tender story told in Mark 14:1-9 of something which happened during some very difficult days for Jesus. The Jewish leaders were plotting his death and He was surrounded by his critics and His enemies. In this narrative, we see Him going to the little village of Bethany. It is the night before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and He goes to a party in His honor in the home of Simon, a leper.

June 9, 2022 - I can remember as a small boy, often hearing people close their prayers with the phrase, “In Christ’s name and for his sake we pray”. What are we saying with that expression? We are asking God to look upon the face of his son and to deal with us on the merit of our suffering substitute. However, this is only one side of the equation. God wants us to look upon the face of his son and for Christ’s sake suffer, serve and glorify the father.

May 26, 2022 - This week we have witnessed another example of man’s inhumanity to man.  The tragic school shooting in Uvalde which took so many innocent lives breaks our hearts. We sympathize with those parents and grandparents who have lost their children in such a horrific manner.  Our hearts ache and our eyes become misty with tears as we consider what it might be like if we were in their shoes. As we pray and ask the God of Heaven to give them strength, courage and comfort, we also express our gratitude that our own dear little ones are safe, at least for now.

May 12, 2022 - Dr. Luke tells us in Acts chapter 3 that Peter and John went to the temple to pray. There was a lame man there and Peter healed this man. Well, it seems a crowd assembled to hear their preaching. This upset the “status quo” and so Peter and John were arrested and brought before the assembly of priests, elders and scribes. We are further told in Acts 4:13 that when the members of the “council” saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.