Devotional (Page 5)

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11 & Luke 11:3) In my small group we’ve been working through a series on prayer. Part of the series uses the Lord’s prayer as a guide. Jesus himself used the Lord’s prayer to teach others how to pray. But when we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” What does this mean? Is it only about asking God to provide food for our physical needs? I think there is lot…

I went to the store the other day to buy my favorite ice cream.  I couldn’t believe my favorite ice cream cost more. The golden potatoes, that I dearly love, have increased.   What is with the price gouge on everything?  My favorite bread costs more.  Most of you know I love McDonalds. It’s been my favorite place to go forever.  I used to have my office there where I would meet others.  In the process of going there so much,…

I wouldn’t trade my eight years in the Army for anything.  My military experience helped shape me into the man I am today.  I have very few regrets related to those years, but I do have regrets. Because of my military experience, I enjoy watching military-based movies and TV shows.  Most recently I’ve enjoyed watching the series on Fox called Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.  If you haven’t seen the show, it’s filmed in the Jordanian desert, not far from…

As I sit at home this morning (which doesn’t happen often) and look outside, I am reminded to take a deep breath and appreciate what’s around me.  It only takes a few seconds to look around you.  What makes me smile?  What brings me joy? This morning it is seeing green grass, spring is coming, endless trees in the forest, I can hear our rooster crowing.  These things are always here, just waiting for me to pause and notice.  …

It didn’t start out as a Ministry. Actually, in a way it is a “side” ministry. It started as a caring note as a text on my phone. It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving when one of our friends had a medical emergency. We were leaving on Wednesday to be with friends, that we managed to do every year for many years. I talked to the wife and said I feel terrible leaving you at a time like this, but…

Isaiah 53:4-64  Surely he has borne our griefsand carried our sorrows;yet we esteemed him stricken,smitten by God, and afflicted.5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with his wounds we are healed.6  All we like sheep have gone astray;we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on himthe iniquity of us all. The Lenten season has grown to become a time of high importance to me…

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9) The bible has a lot to say about hospitality. Through many years of ministry, I am convinced that hospitality can be one of the most effective ways of building community in a church, but also connecting with those who are seekers. Yet, as I write that last sentence, and I reflect on my own household’s practice of hospitality, we could do better. Over the child-rearing years the pace of life…

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. PSALM 139:8 – 10 Our little granddaughter loves to play peek-a-boo.  It is so cute to watch her hide her eyes behind her chubby little hands. …

Be faithful even to point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10   I was listening to the kindergartners at my kids’ school recite this memory verse one by one to me this morning and really thinking about the meaning of this verse and how deep it is. If you just look at the first half of the scripture, death sounds so final.  I am so glad that the verse continues with the crown…

Our day started out just like all the other days.  Get breakfast ready, fix lunches, feed the cat and get a few things ready so we can continue our adventure.  We get to the church, and everything looks like we left it.  I fix lunch and look around a little.  The House is very spacious, and we enjoy watching the view.  We are blessed to be in such a beautiful place with that dam view! It is a peaceful Saturday. …

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  –Romans 5:3-5 Comfort, it has so often been my goal. I can safely say that I have never looked to be uncomfortable on purpose. Why would I? That seems such a…