What Are You Holding On To? When our boys, and now our grandsons, were quite young and we would be walking with them, especially in winter time, I would want to hold their hand so they wouldn’t slip and fall. There were times they, instead, wanted to hold onto my hand. I let them do so, but in such a way that I, without them realizing it, was also holding onto their hand. Invariably, thereRead More

Growing Like Trees What do the Lone Ranger, Green Hornet [Who remembers him?], and Batman and Robin have in common with us?  All wear masks when out in the public. While I don’t know why all this is happening, I can tell you that somehow and in some way the God of heaven, the silent God, the One Who, from my perspective, seems to be absent, is still in control. The school adjacent to ourRead More

God Is In Control Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5 As we are born, we are dependent on our parents and others around us. Yet, as we grow older, we strive to be independent. Now I’m not saying independence is bad, but sin can sneak in and ruin it. Sin and Satan will lie to you and make you think that youRead More

God Created, Well, Everything! In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1 This is the powerful opening to our scriptures and our world. From nothing, comes everything, blessed by the hands and words of God. But for centuries we have been striving to figure out just what this all means. How did God create? Did God create? God? Create? As time went on, the question got shorter. But regardless, theRead More

The Strength Of Jesus I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13 This verse is like the Christian Nike slogan (Nike says, “Just Do It.”). I’ve seen this plastered so many places.  Many seem to interpret this as saying that “I can do anything”. But, as always, context is king. When Paul speaks of being able to do all things, he doesn’t speak of competing in a game. He speaksRead More

Seeing the Good And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28 Sometimes it’s hard to believe the words Paul speaks here. In life where every day is different, it is hard to see good when we see evil prevail. Looking back upon the history of Paul’s time, Rome was the prevailing empire. And what was RomeRead More

God’s Plan For Us For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 When we read this passage, often we personalize it. God has a plan of welfare for me! But this was originally spoken to Jeremiah, who was in the midst of the invasion of Babylon. People he knew and loved were eitherRead More

God Is Here For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39   Beware the Pits I’ve heard it said that life is a bowl of cherries. But don’t forget, with the fruitRead More

Fear Not, God Will Make A Way Fear not, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am Your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10   I have read these words many times.  Until yesterday, I didn’t fully realize how encouraging these words are, especially as we live through the 2020 pandemic.  These words comfort me fromRead More

Separately Together “Isn’t Freida’s new hat lovely?” “Oh, look. Aren’t those young Comstock twins just adorable in their matching suits?” “Did you see Burt’s tie? It has quite a stain on it. Oh, and his hair is a mess.” “When are we going to get this show on the road? We’re already 3 minutes late. At this rate my ham will be burnt when we get home. (Exasperated exhale)” “When the pastor says that EasterRead More