Greetings! Right in front of our church building (in Cincinnati) earlier this week, I looked to the right, to the left, then straight ahead, and was able to, from one spot, count nine colors on spring flowers. Wild flowers about which I generally don’t pay attention to, smiled at me through bright colors –   Purple Cresses, Marsh Marigolds, Butter Cups, …

Good morning friend! I wasn’t pleased, at first – needing to be somewhere at a certain time, but now I’m in line, waiting, walled by vehicles in either direction, not knowing how long this wait was going to be. But then I decided to turn my annoyance into admiration – of nine geese, taking their time in crossing the road, …

The other day I got ticked off. I was accused of something which I knew was not true. I got ‘hot under the collar’: blood pressure went up, stress hormones production tripled, headache set in, I was ready to strike back. . . . . . . .you get the idea. What does God want me to do when such …

“How is it possible that I can get so much from God when I give Him so little?” was the question a dear friend posed to me recently. We were discussing end-of-life matters and what truly matters in the end. This individual seemed baffled and truly amazed at the thought of GRACE, God’ GRACE. GRACE is what God offers sinful …

Good morning, friend! Recently, I have been working on a new habit which gives me a boost to my morning routines, and invite you to try this simple, tiny habit. (It’s done in bed, so no excuses😊) I have been practicing deep breathing. Before getting out of bed in the morning, I lay straight, on my back, and breathe. . . .deeply. …

Greetings, friend! I once heard it said: Everyone needs to be a Paul to someone (meaning ‘to be a mentor’), a Timothy to someone (meaning ‘to be a mentee’), and a Barnabas to someone (meaning ‘to be an encourager’). Interesting. Who are you a Barnabas to? Barnabas is introduced to us in the Bible as ‘a son of encouragement.’ What …

Greetings friend!An acquaintance’s recent comment surprised me: “Change and decay all around.” This person subscribed to no religion or faith community, but sensed the futility of life even as the world moved, in its thinking, towards a better future. His statement transported me mentally to a place where I had heard those words before. Our family was visiting an orphanage, cared …

Good morning friend! What do your voluntary routines reveal about you? Voluntary routines are not those things that you have to do, which if you don’t do could disrupt your life right away in a big way (e.g. Go to the bathroom when you get up, be at work or school on time, stop at a traffic red light, take …

Greetings! I had just finished my morning run. My start wasn’t impressive. I didn’t feel like getting out of bed; it was so warm and cozy.  My muscles were sore; they didn’t feel like being stretched today.  I didn’t feel like going outside the house; it was the middle of winter, bitterly cold, snowy, and icy in spots.  And did …

Good day, friend! Let me share with you something very personal – my last words each night before I drift off to sleep. After “Good night, I love you” to my wife, I say, “Lord, I don’t know if You’ll wake me up tomorrow morning. In case You don’t, please remember me when You come in Your Kingdom.” So cool that …