Today is Saturday, of course, two days after Thanksgiving Day. I hope that by now you have enjoyed time with family and/or friends during this Thanksgiving Holiday. Personally, I have always loved Thanksgiving. I think of it as the purest American religious holiday. Here is why: The stated proclamation of this national holiday, from the outset, has been to remind us of the blessings and providence...  Read More

“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you” (Psalm 116:7).This verse reminds us that if the Lord has been good to us then it is time to express our love and gratitude to Him. This sentiment is reflected in this psalm from the beginning. The first four words of the psalm are “I love the Lord…” Then he tells why: He heard my voice…He heard my cry… (v.1). The psalmist is sayi...  Read More

Do you ever get discouraged? Most of us do! Sometimes things do not turn out the way we planned and it seems like God does not show up the way we prayed. This can set us back emotionally—and sometimes spiritually. Some people get away from God not because they wake up one morning and decide to rebel, but because their faith seems to have failed. That's discouragement—and it can be destructive! Thi...  Read More

When I am at home, I enjoy watching a game on TV. It almost does not matter which sport, usually whatever is in season, though with some exceptions—no bowling or corn hole. Sorry, don’t like it! Anyway, there is something inside me that needs to crunch on something while I am watching a game on TV. You can probably relate… For example, I like potato chips. However, that is not good for you. So now...  Read More

“Earth’s crammed with heaven,And every common bush afire with God.”These words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning are a reference to the burning bush experience of Moses. You will recall that Moses was tending sheep in the desert of Midian when he noticed a burning bush and approached it curiously. The ordinary suddenly became extraordinary! Here, God spoke to him and called him to return to Egypt and ...  Read More

The highly treasured devotional book STREAMS IN THE DESERT shares a story that I would like to pass along to you. I hope you enjoy it!Many years ago there was a monk who needed olive oil, so he planted an olive tree sapling. After he finished planting it, he prayed, “Lord, my tree needs rain so its tender roots can drink and grow. Send gentle showers.” And the Lord sent gentle showers. Then the mo...  Read More