Enjoying the Journey
Family and Friends
Living in Love
This morning Tammy and I had the joy of participating in a special couple’s brunch and marriage seminar. Like many other holidays, Valentine’s Day provides an emphasis that should be remembered year round. Husbands, we are to love our wives (and show it) every day! People around the world are speaking the language of love…at least for a day. But true love is not limited to a day or expressed only in words. The God of love intended that His children would live in His love all the time. Jesus even said that this would be the distinguishing characteristic of His followers: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”…
Read MoreThe Scariest Job In the World
Every job has its drawbacks and even its dangers. But, what is the scariest job in the world? It is a job that many of us have! The scariest job in the world is parenting. The demands, the implications, the complications…about the time you start to figure a few things out your kids are almost grown. Tammy and I are at a new season in our lives as two of our children are in college and the youngest is less than three years from finishing high school. Over lunch recently I told friends that this phase of parenting has been the most challenging for me personally. I have loved every stage but as your children get older there are unique…
Read MoreAn Idea for Your Christmas Cards
Have you sent out your Christmas cards yet? Through the years it has become increasingly difficult to send cards to everyone that we love and want to greet. For the last several years we have simply given cards to family and send greetings by media and email to many others. However you may send your Christmas greetings I would like to give you an idea for those that you receive. Tammy and I always enjoy looking through the Christmas cards and family pictures that come in the mail each year. (Let’s be honest, with all of the technology, we still enjoy getting actual mail in the mailbox!) Perhaps you display them for a few days, but what do you do…
Read MoreChange of Plans!
Change of plans – we have all heard those words a lot this year! On this day we had planned to be touring the land of the Bible. God knew all along that those plans would change. Proverbs 16:9 says it best, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” It is a wonderful rest for a Christian to realize that every step (and stop) are in the Lord’s hands. While international travel restrictions have prevented us from being in Israel right now, I am happy to tell you that we are planning to be there one year from now and would love for you to go with us! We still have a handful of spots open for…
Read MoreA Gift for Giving Tuesday
Yesterday was the day that Americans spent all of their money online and today is the day they are encouraged to give whatever they have left over to worthy causes! All joking aside, I think Giving Tuesday is a good thing. God’s people are taught the principles of giving throughout the Word of God and, for believers, they are in effect every day. It has always been my conviction that no charitable giving should take away from the tithe and offering that believers should give through their local churches. The work of the Lord through your church needs your faithful involvement more now than ever. As I have read the life and ministry of D.L. Moody it has been encouraging…
Read More5 Books to Read On Marriage & Family (And One I Am Starting To Read)
This week I had the privilege of speaking in a special seminar on the Christian home. The people in attendance were young and old, single and married, people with children and grandchildren. It was a reminder to me that there are seasons of life and family, and at every season we need God’s wisdom! If anyone tells you they have a perfect family…run! Sometimes those who look like they have it all together are coming apart at the seams. There are no perfect families because we are all sinners. I have a long way to go as a husband and father, but I am grateful to God for my family and want to become more of what He wants me…
Read MoreI Would Appreciate Your Help!
One of the great joys of my life is the fellowship and friendship we enjoy with the people of God. There is nothing like being in the greatest family on earth! I am very grateful for the connections the Lord continues to give us with His people around the world and the partnership we have in the work of the gospel. I want to ask if you would be willing to help me with a special project that God has given us. As most of you know, during the COVID-19 travel ban we were restricted from a number of scheduled meetings. Yet in the good providence of God it was during that time that the Lord allowed me to write…
Read MoreEncouragement from a Friend
These are unusual days for God’s people and many are fighting discouragement. A dear friend who labors in a challenging part of the world recently shared an encouraging article full of wise advice and I wanted to pass it along to you. I am doing so with his permission and with the prayer that the Lord will help you do what you can at this time and trust Him with the rest… Missionaries do their best to remain positive and encouraging in reporting and other communication. Who wants a depressing prayer letter? My family does our best to follow this example and not to share all the gory details and discouragements of life and ministry. It might be tempting to…
Read MoreThe Perfect Father
All of us who are called “dad” know that, while we want the best for our children, we do not always choose the best ourselves. There are no perfect fathers, but there is one perfect Father. Paul called Him “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). He gives perfect affection (Psalm 103:13). He gives perfect correction (Hebrews 12:5-10). He gives perfect direction (Isaiah 64:8). He gives perfect provision (James 1:17). He gives perfect protection (Matthew 10:29-31). He is the perfect Father! As a father I am so grateful for the dad that God gave to me as an example and encouragement. But regardless of what your earthly father was like I can assure you…
Read MoreYou Can Learn a Lot About Life In a Garden
Grant decided he was going to plant a garden this year. His very own. He wanted to work it from scratch and use no plants, just seeds. The primitive, pioneer way. It has been fun to watch and instructive for us all. You can learn a lot about life in a garden! Here are a few of the thoughts I have had over the last few days… You can’t produce if you won’t prepare. Good seed matters. Planting is the easy part, tending is the challenge. Water is life. There is no fruit to enjoy if you don’t guard against invaders. You only get out of it what you put into it. If it does well it feeds many other…
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